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POETIC SKETCHES 



FROM 



BUNYAN. 






POETIC SKETCHES 



FROM 

BUNYAN: 

COMPRISING SOME OF THE LEADING INCIDENTS 
IN 

THE FIRST PART 

OF THE 

Dilgrfm'* tfrogrc**: 

BY 

J. B. DRAYTON. 



WITH A BRIEF MEMOIR OF JOHN BUNYAN, AND NOTES,^ 
SELECTED AND ABRIDGED FROM THE REV. T. SCOTT, 

Rector of Aston Sandford, Bucks; 
And late Chaplain to the Lock Hospital, London. 



CHELTENHAM : 

PRINTED BY TURNER AND HADLEY, 
AND SOLD BY S. BETTISON, AND G. A. WILLIAMS. 

1821. 



TK^ 






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•• *♦• • • *•• •«• 

• ••• •••••• 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



The design of this Volume, is to present 
to that class of readers who may favour 
the attempt, a selection from such inci- 
dents in the First Part of the Pilgrim's 
Progress as appeared most susceptible of 
poetic embellishment, or otherwise parti- 
cularly interesting ; and to induce those 
yo ng persons of cultivated mind who have 
been accustomed to slight the original as 
a coarse and illiterate production, to give 



VI 



it a diligent perusal. Such a perusal will 
amply repay their attention, and they will 
find, that whatever may be its defects in a 
few minor points, its general merits are 
of the highest order. — It is a rude but 
luxuriant wilderness, where every variety 
of useful and ornamental production is 
indigenous: and a chief object in the 
present undertaking has been, to prune a 
few redundancies, and, by genial culture, 
to call forth each native beauty into more 
attractive and vivid expansion . The scale 
of character is somewhat raised, but the 
identity, it is hoped, will be found suffici- 
ently preserved. The Notes (which the 
name of the author cannot fail to recom- 
mend,) are added as a useful appendage to 



i 



Vll 

the Allegory, that the young reader may 
.not " scan the work but slip the lesson by ." 

The following Testimonies of eminent 
men to the Pilgrim's Progress, will 
exhibit their opinion of its general merit, 
and of its adaptation to poetic embellish- 
ment. 



a The Pilgrim's Progress ranks high among the works of 
original genius : it is among the very few books indeed, of 
which the reader when he comes to the conclusion, wishes they 
had been longer ; and has the best evidence of its merit, in the 
general and continued approbation of mankind." 

Dr. Johnson. 

" The Allegories in the Pilgrim's Progress are well con- 
ceived, and prove the Author to have possessed powers of in- 
vention which, if they had been refined by learning, might 
have produced something very noble." 

Dr. Beattie. 



Vlll 

" Bunyan, who has heen mentioned among the least and 

lowest of our writers, and even ridiculed as a driveller by those 

who have never read him, deserves a much higher rank than is 

commonly imagined. — The Allegory is admirably carried on, 

and the characters justly drawn and uniformly supported. 

The Author's original and poetic genius shines through the 

coarseness and vulgarity of his language, and intimates that if 

he had been a master of numbers, he might have composed a 

poem worthy of Spenser himself." 

Rev. J. Grainger. 

" Bunyan's invention is like that of Homer ." 

Merrick. 

" I have been better entertained and more informed by 
a few pages in the Pilgrim's Progress, than by a long dis- 
course upon the will, and the intellect, and simple and complex 

ideas." 

Dean Swift. 

w It would not perhaps be difficult to prove, that the Pil- 
grim's Progress is as really an original production of vigorous 
native genius, as any of those works, in prose or verse, which 
have excited the admiration of mankind, through successive 
ages, and in different nations." 

Rev. T. Scott. 

a O thou, whom, borne on fancy's eager wing 
Back to the season of life's happy spring, 



IX 



I pleas'd remember, and while mem'ry yet 

Holds fast her office here, can ne'er forget 5 

Ingenious dreamer, in whose well told tale 

Sweet fiction and sweet truth alike prevail; 

Whose bum'rous vein, strong sense, and simple style, 

May teach the gayest, make the gravest smile y 

Witty, and well employ'd, and, like thy Lord, 

Speaking in parables his slighted word; 

I name thee not, lest so despis'd a name 

Should move a sneer at thy deserved fame; 

Yet, ev'n in transitory life's late day 

That mingles all my brown with sober grey, 

Revere the man, whose Pilgrim marks the road, 

And guides the Progress of the soul to God," 

Cowper. 



MEMOIR 



JOHN BUNYAN. 



The celebrated author of the Pilgrim's Progress was born t 
A.D. 1628, at Elstow, a small village near Bedford. His fa* 
ther earned his bread by the low occupation of a tinker ; but 
he bore a fair character, and took care that his son, whom he 
brought up to the same business, should be taught to read and 
write. We are told indeed, that he quickly forgot all he had 
Jearned, through his extreme profligacy : yet it is probable, 
that he retained so much as enabled him to recover the rest, 



Xll 



when his mind became better disposed; and that it was very 
useful to him in the subsequent part of his life. 

In early youth he was twice preserved from the most im- 
minent danger of drowning : a*jjd being a soldier in the par- 
liament's army at the seige of Leicester, A.D. 1645, he was 
drawn out to stand centinel ; but one of his comrades, having 
by his own desire taken his place, was shot through th'e head 
on his post j and thus Bunyan was reserved by the all-dis- 
posing hand of God for better purposes. He seems, however, 
to have made progressive advances in wickedness, and to 
have become a ring-leader in every kind of profaneness and 
excess. 

H is career of vice at length received a considerable check, in 
consequence of his marriage with the daughter of a person who 
had been very religious in his way, and remarkably bold in re- 
proving vice, but who was then dead. His wife's discourse to 
him concerning her father's piety excited him to go regularly 
to church; and as she brought him, for her whole portion, The 
Practice of Piety , and The plain Man's Path-ivay to Heaven p 
he employed himself frequently in reading these books. 



Xlll 

This new attention to religion was, however, ineffectual to 
the reformation of his conduct : and while he was proceeding 
in his wretched course of sin, a woman of very bad character 
reproved him with great severity for profane swearing;- de- 
claring in the strongest expressions, that he exceeded in it all 
men she had ever heard. This made him greatly ashamed, 
when he reflected that he was too vile even for such a had 
woman to endure : so that from that time he began to break off 
that odious custom. 

He was, however, reluctant to part with his irreligious asso* 
ciates and vain pleasures 3 till the conversation of a poor man, 
who came in his way, induced him to read the Bible, especially 
the preceptive and historical parts of it: and this put him 
upon an entire reformation of his conduct ; so that his neigh- 
bours were greatly astonished at the change. In this manner 
he went on for about a year; at sometimes satisfied with him- 
self, and at others distressed with fears and consciousness of 
guilt. Indeed he seems ever after to have considered all these 
convictions-and desires as wholly originating from natural prin- 
ciples; but in this perhaps some persons will venture to dis- 
sent from him. A self-righteous dependence accompanied with 



X1T 

self-complacency, and furnishing incentives to pride, is indeed 
a full proof of uuregeneracy : but conscientiousness connected 
with disquietudes, humiliation for sin, and a disposition to wait 
for divine teaching, is an effect and evidence of spiritual life, 
though the mind be yet darkened with ignorance, error, and 
prejudice. And he that hath given life, will give it more 
abundantly: for, u The path of the just is as the shiniug light, 
" that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." 

After various fluctuations in his religious course, Mr. 
Bunyan became acquainted with Mr. Gifford, an Antipaedo- 
baptist minister at Bedford, whose conversation was very use- 
ful to him : yet he was in some respects more discouraged than 
ever, by fuller discoveries of those evils in his hear! , which he 
had not before noticed ; and by doubts concerning the truth of 
the scriptures, which his entire ignorance of the evidences by 
which they are most completely authenticated, rendered durably 
perplexing to him. He was, however, at length relieved by a 
sermon he heard on the love of Christ; though the grounds on 
which he derived satisfaction and encouragement from it, are 
not very accurately stated. — Soon after this he was admitted, 
by adult baptism, a member of Mr. GifFoyd's church, A.D. 



XV 



1655, being then twenty-seven years of age; and after a little 
time, he was earnestly desired by the congregation to expound 
or preach, in a manner which is customary among the Dissen- 
ters, as a preparation to the ministry. For a while he resisted 
their importunity, under a deep sense of his incompetency; 
but at length he was prevailed upon to speak in a small com- 
pany, which he did greatly to their satisfaction and edification. 
Having been thus proved for a considerable time, he was at 
length called forth, and set apart by fasting and prayer to the 
ministerial office, which he executed with faithfulness and suc- 
cess during a long course of years; though frequently with the 
greatest trepidation and inward disquietude. 

As he was baptized in 1655, and imprisoned in 1660, he 
could not have been long engaged in the work when the latter 
event took place : and it does not appear whether he obtained 
a stated employment as a minister; or whether he only preached 
occasionally, and continued to work at his trade; as many 
Dissenters very laudably do, when called to minister among 
poor people, that they a may not be burdensome to them."— 
Previously however to the restoration of Charles II . when the 
churches were principally filled by those, who have since been 



XVI 

distinguished as non-conformists 5 he was expected to preach 
in a church near Cambridge; and a student of that university, 
not remarkable for sobriety, observing a concourse of people, 
was induced by curiosity to hear c the tinker prate g but the 
discourse ratide an unexpected impression on his mind, he em- 
braced every future opportunity of hearing Mr. Bunyan^ and 
at length became an eminent preacher in Cambridgeshire. 

When the restoration took place $ and, contrary to equity, 
engagements, and sound policy, the laws were framed and exe- 
cuted with a severity evidently intended to exclude every man, 
who scrupled the least tittle of the doctrine, liturgy, discipline, 
or government of the established church, Mr. Bunyan was one 
of the first that suffered by them : for being courageous and 
unreserved, he went on iu his ministerial work without any 
disguise ; and Nov. 12, 1660, he was apprehended by a warrant 
from Justice Wingate, at Harlington, near Bedford, with sixty 
other persons, and committed to the county jail. Security wa3 
offered for his appearance at the sessions ; but it was refused, 
as his sureties would not consent that he should be restricted 
from preaching. He was accordingly confined till the quarter- 
sessions, when his indictment stated, * That John Bunyan, of 



XV11 

* the town of Bedford, labourer, had devilishly and perniciously 
1 abstained from coming to church to hear divine service 5 and 
' was a common upholder of several unlawful meetings and 
c conventicles, to the great disturbance and distraction of the 
i good subjects of this kingdom, contrary to the laws of our 

* sovereign Lord the King.' The facts charged upon him in 
this absurd indictment were never proved 5 as no witnesses 
were produced. He had confessed in conversation with the 
magistrates, that he was a dissenter, and had preached ; these 
words being considered as equivalent to conviction were re- 
corded against him} and as he refused to conform, he was sen- 
tenced to perpetual banishment. This sentence indeed was not 
executed : but he was confined in Bedford jail more than 
twelve years, notwithstanding several attempts were made to 
obtain his deliverance. 

During this tedious imprisonment, or at least part of it, 
he had no books, except a Bible and Fox's M artyrology 5 yet 
thus circumstanced, he penned the Pilgrim's Progress, and 
many other treatises ! He was only thirty-two years of age 
when he was imprisoned; he had spent his youth in the most 
disadvantageous manner imaginable 5 and he had been no more 
C 



XVI II 

than five years a member of the church at Bedford, and less 
time a preacher of the gospel : yet in this admired allegory 
he appears to have been most intimately acquainted with all 
the variety of characters, which ministers, long employed in 
the sacred service, and eminent for judgment and sagacity, 
have observed among professors or opposers of evangelical 
truth ! 

In the last year of his imprisonment, (A.D. 1671,) he was 
chosen pastor of the dissenting church at Bedford 5 though it 
does not appear what opportunity he could have of exercising 
his pastoral office, except within the precincts of the jail. He 
was however liberated soon after, through the good offices of 
Dr. Barlow, Bishop of Lincoln, after many fruitless attempts 
had been made for that purpose. Thus terminated his tedious, 
severe, and even illegal imprisonment, which had given him 
abundant opportunity for the exercise of patience and meek- 
ness; and which seems to have been over-ruled both for his 
own spiritual improvement, and the furtherance of the gospel 5 
by leading him to study, and to form habits of close reflection, 
and accurate investigation of various subjects, in order to pen 
his several treatises: when probably he would neither have 



XIX 

thought so deeply, nor written so well, had he been more at 
ease and at liberty. 

A short time after his enlargement, he built a meeting 
house at Bedford, by the voluntary contributions of his friends ; 
and here he statedly preached to large auditories, till his death, 
without meeting with any remarkable molestation. — He used 
to come up to London every year, where he preached among 
the nonconformists with great acceptance; and it is said that 
Dr. Owen frequently attended on these occasions, and ex- 
pressed his approbation in very decided language. He like- 
wise made stated circuits into other parts of England; and 
animated his brethren to bear the cross patiently, to obey God 
rather than man, and to leave all consequences with him. He 
was at the same time peculiarly attentive to the temporal wants 
of those who suffered for conscience-sake, and of the sick or 
afflicted : and he employed his influence very successfully, in 
reconciling differences among professors of the gospel, and thus 
preventing disgraceful and burdensome litigations. — He was 
very exact in family-religion, and the instruction of his children: 
being principally concerned for their spiritual interests, and 
comparatively indifferent about their temporal prosperity. He 



XX 



therefore declined the liberal proposal of a wealthy citizen of 
London, to take his son as an apprentice without any premium, 
saying, c God did not send me to advance my family but to 
' preach the gospel j' — probably disliking the business or situa- 
tion, as unfavourable to piety. 

In the year 1688, he took a journey in very bad weather 
from London to Reading, Berks, to make up a breach between 
a father and his son, with whom he had some acquaintance ; and 
having happily effected his last work and labour of love, he re- 
turned to his lodgings on Snow-hill apparently in good health, 
but very wet with the heavy rain that was then falling: and 
soon after he was seized with a fever, which in ten days termi- 
nated his useful life. He bore his malady with great patience 
and composure, and died in a very comfortable and triumphant 
manner, Aug. 31, 1688, aged sixty years j after having exer- 
cised his ministry about thirty-two. He lies buried in Bunhill 
Fields; where a tomb-stone to his memory may still be seen.— 
He was twice married : by his first wife, he had four children, 
one of which, a daughter named Mary who was blind, died 
before him. He was married to his second wife A.D. 1658, 
two years before his imprisonment, by whom he seems not to 



XXI 

have had any children. She survived him about four years. 
Concerning the other branches of his family we have not been 
able to gain any information. 

Mr. Bunyan was tall and broad set, though not corpulent : 
he had a ruddy complexion, with sparkling eyes, and hair in- 
clining to red, but in his old age sprinkled with grey. His 
whole appearance was plain, and his dress always simple and 
unaffected. — He published sixty tracts, which equalled the 
number of years he lived. The Pilgrim's Progress had passed 
through more than fifty editions in 1784. 

His character seems to have been uniformly good, from the 
time when he was brought acquainted with the blessed gospel 
of Christ : and though his countenance was rather stern and 
his manner rough 5 yet he was very mild, modest, and affable, 
in his behaviour. He was backward to speak much, except on 
particular occasions, and remarkably averse to boasting; ready 
to submit to the judgment of others, and disposed to forgive 
injuries, to follow peace with all men, and to employ himself 
as a peace-maker : yet he was steady to his principles, and bold 
in reproving sin without respect of persons.— Many slanders 



xxu 

were spread concerning him during the course of his ministry, 
some of which he refuted 5 they have however all died away; 
and no one now pretends to say any thing to his disadvantage, 
except as a firm attachment to his religious creed and practice 
has been called bigotry 3 and as the account given of his own 
experience has been misunderstood or misrepresented. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 
The Pilgrim described 3 

Christian's discourse with Pliant. — The Slough of De- 
spond 11 

Christian seduced by Worldly-wise, &c 27 

instructed by Interpreter • • • . 59 

arrives at the Cross, and drops his Burden. . . . 81 

Christian's conflict with Apollyon in the Valley of Humi- 
liation 87 

Faithful relates to Christian his escape from Wanton, and 

Adam the First 109 

Faithful's first discourse with Talkative 119 

Description of Vanity-Fair ♦ 131 



XXIV 

Page 
The captivity of Christian and Hopeful in Doubting- 
Castle 141 

Christian's second discourse with Ignorance . . . • fc 169 

Christian and Hopeful arrive at the Land of Beulah, and 

pass through the River of Death ••••••••• t •• ... . 185 



POETIC SKETCHES, &c. 



POETIC SKETCHES 



BUNYAN. 



The pilgrim described. 



Outcast on earth's bewilder'd waste, 
A Den* my way-worn steps had traced— 
Stern shelter! — There, toil-spent, I laid 
My limbs beneath the savage shade : 



* Bedford Jail 5 in which the Author was confined about 



A vision'd slumber seal'd mine eyes, 
When, lo! before me seem'd to rise 
All pale, and pensive, and deprest, 
A man in vile and tatter'd vest. 
On bis near home he shunn'd to look ; 
His right hand grasp'd an ancient book ; 
While his bow'd back a sordid pest, 
A strange, a pond'rous load, opprest. 1 
Piteous I gazed. — I marked him wide 
Unclose the record. — Deep he sigh'd : — 
He read — and trembled as he read ; 
And many a bitter tear he shed; 

1 Isa. lxiv. 6. Luke xiv. 33. Ps. xxxviii. 4. Hab. ii. 2. 



twelve years, for exercising his ministry contrary to the sta- 
tutes then in force. 



Till stern despondent agony 

Wrung from his heart this doleful cry, 

' Lost ! lost ! undone ! for ever lost !'* 

Thus into tempest inly tost, 
He bent him home, silent and slow, 
And hush'd awhile his secret woe. 
Frail effort ! — Swift the torrent-tide 
Of anguish ev'ry art defied, 
And, groaning, thus aloud he cried : 



* The man clothed in rags, implies that all men are sin- 
ners, in their dispositions and conduct ; that their supposed 
virtues are radically defective, and worthless in the sight of 
God 5 and that the Pilgrim has discovered his own righ- 
teousness to be insufficient for justification, even as sordid 
rags would be unsuitable raiment for those who stand before 



6 

4 O my loved wife, my children ! ye behold 
* Your friend , your father, wretched and undone : 
6 Sore press'd beneath this constant load, and 

6 doom'd 
' To tenfold weight of still-increasing 1 woe ! — 



kings. — His face turned from his own house, represents the 
sinner convinced that it is absolutely necessary to subor- 
dinate all other concerns to the care of his immortal soul, 
and to renounce every thing which interferes with that grand 
object : and this makes him lose his former relish for the 
pleasures of sin, and even for the most lawful temporal sa- 
tisfactions, while he trembles at the thought of impending 
destruction. 1 — The book in his hand in which he read, im- 
plies, that sinners discover their real state and character by 
reading and believing the Scriptures ; that their first atten- 
tion is often directed to the denunciations of the wrath to 
come 5 and that in this case they cannot but continue to 

1 Heb. xi. 8, 24— 27. 



* Nor I alone : — Tis verily foretold, 

< That soon a fiery deluge shall be rain'd 

* On this devoted city ; yea, that thou, 

6 And these sweet babes, in that dire overthrow, 
1 Shall sink, with me, to miserable ruin ; 



search the Word of God, though their grief and alarm is 
increased by every perusal. — The burden on his back repre- 
sents that distressing sense of guilt and fear of wrath, which 
deeply convinced sinners cannot shake off ; 'the remem- 

* brance of their sins is grievous to them, the burden of 

* them is intolerable ;' their consciences are oppressed with 
guilt, even on account of those actions in which their neigh- 
bours perceive no harm $ and their hearts tremble at the 
prospect of dangers of which others have no apprehension.— 
The circumstances of these humiliating convictions exceed- 
ingly vary, but the life of faith and grace always begins with 
them 5 and they who are wholly strangers to this experi- 
ence, are christians only in name and form. 



8 

1 Save (tho* as yet unhoped) all-gracious Heav'n 
4 Send timely rescue.' 

All amaze, 
His friends upon each other gaze : — 
Unwitting the dire cause, they deem 
His dread report a wild day-dream ; 
His panic seem'd a frenzied fright 
Would yield, perchance, to sober night. — 
Night came, but each slow hour was fraught 
With sighs, and tears, and sleepless thought ; 
Till morn, returned with hateful glow, 
Brought them a tale of deeper woe. 
With kindly counsel once again 
He sought their credence to obtain, 
Their fears to move; — but all in vain ! 



9 

His warnings flash'd on hearts of steel ; 
And, for his watchful love, they deal 

Harsh chiding, scoff, and cruel taunt. 
And cold neglect. — Repulsed, and pain'd, 
All further effort he refrain'd ; 

And, pensive, in his lonely haunt 
The secret chamber, or the field, 
His soul to silent grief would yield ; 
And midst his complicated care, 
Pour for his friends a pitying prayer. 
Then, into hallow'd musings wrought, 
Celestial solace thence he sought; 
Or from that sacred book, his dear 
His dread companion ! — but no cheer, 
No glimpse of hope, 'twas his to know :—*■ 
Heav'n seem'd to frown his mortal foe; 



10 

And that portentous Word, that erst 
On his reft heart like thunder burst, 
Still spoke swift vengeance from on high, 
And still wrung forth that doleful cry, 
* Woe ! woe is me I 1 
< Where shall I flee ?— 
4 I loathe to live, I dread to die V* 

1 Isa. vi. 5* 



* The contempt or indignation, which worldly people express 
towards those who are distressed in conscience, commonly in- 
duces them to conceal their inquietude as long as they can, even 
from their relatives $ but this soon becomes impracticable. Na- 
tural affection also, connected with a view of the extreme danger 
to which a man sees the objects of his most tender attachment 
exposed, but of which they have no apprehensions, will extort 
earnest representations, warnings, and intreaties. — They who are 



(EfyviHtim'tl discourse with ^Uattt*— 

The ^lougfi of 3&t$poxii}* 



Chr. Welcome! heroic neighbour : Much I joy 
To have won thee my companion : Had yon churl,* 
So proudly steel'd, once felt, as I, the charms 



ignorant of the Scriptures, and unaccustomed to compare their 
own conduct with the divine law, will be amazed at such dis- 
course j and, instead of duly regarding the warnings given them, 
will commonly ascribe them to enthusiasm or insanity : and, as 

* Obstinate. 



12 

And potent terrors of the world unseen, 
He had not lightly, thus, giv'n us the back, 

Pli. True to a jot : — And, since no captious ear 
Audits our converse, be thy steady theme 
Our destined bliss, and how to be enjoy'd. 



prophets, apostles, and the Son of God himself, were looked upon 
as visionaries or beside themselves by their contemporaries ; we 
may be sure that no prudence, excellence, or benevolence, cau 
exempt the consistent believer from the same trial. Near rela- 
tions will generally be the first to form this opinion of his case 5 
and will devise various expedients to quiet his mind: diversions, 
company, feasting, absence from serious friends or books, will be 
prescribed j and by these means a false peace often succeeds a 
transient alarm. But when any one has received a genuine hu- 
miliating discovery of the evil and desert of sin, such expedients 
will not alleviate but increase the anguish 5 and will be followed 



13 

Chr. The glorious vision that enwraps my soul, 
And cheers my hope, no mortal speech can paint ; 
Yet, would'st thou some blest antepast, attend ; 
While from these radiant pages I unfold 
Their bright display, 

Pli. But canst thou vouch them true ? 



by still greater earnestness about his own salvation and that of 
others. This commonly strengthens prejudice, and induces ob- 
duracy : and contemptuous pity gives place to resentment, ill- 
usage, derision, or neglect. The disconsolate believer is then 
driven into retirement, and endeavours to relieve his burdened 
mind by reading the Scriptures, and meditating on his doleful 
case, with compassionate prayers for his despisers : and thus he 
sows in tears that seed from which the harvest of his future joy 
will surely be produced. 



14 

Chr. Yea, truth itself; — 

Their Author cannot lie. 1 

Pli. Well said : — Proceed. — 

Chr. A boundless kingdom shall be ours, and life 
Eternal, to command its unknown joys. 2 

Pli. Glad news ! — What then ? 

Chr. There crowns of glory wait us ; 

Yea, robes of light, effulgent as the sun 
In heavVs pure firmament. 3 



1 Tit. i. 2. * Isa. xlv. 17. John x. 27—29. 3 2 Tim. iv. 8. 
Rev. iii. 4. Matt. xiii. 43, 



15 

Pli. 'Tis bravely spoke : — 

Say on. — 

Chr. There, crying and grief shall be no more * 
For He who reigns supreme, shall from our eyes 
Wipe ev'ry tear. 1 

Pli. But say — our company ? 

Chr. High Seraphs, dazzling-bright, and Che- 
rub choirs 
Beaming mild lustre, shall salute us there; 2 
There we shall meet th' emancipate from earth ; 
A countless multitude ; not one malign, 

1 Isa. xxv. 8. Rev. vii. 16, 17. xxi. 4. * Isa. vi. 2, 
1 Thess. iv.16, 17. 



16 

But banded sweet in holy brotherhood; 
Each, in his happy sphere, serving approved 
The will of the Great Sovereign, or advanced 
With full acceptance near his glorious throne ; 
There, from his presence, drinking endless joy. 
—In that blest region we shall hail, compeer'd, 
Elders with crowns of gold ; l — with golden harps 
Immaculate virgins : 2 — There, th' empyreal host 
Earth-born, but driv'n anon untimely thence 
To their high home, by thousand hideous deaths- 
Fierce fire and sword, or raging beasts, or seas: — 
These, joyous they endured, for love supreme 
Of their liege Lord ; and now they rest, secure, 
And clothed with immortality, 3 

1 Rev. iv. 4. 2 Rev. xiv. 1— 5. 3 Johnxii.25. 
2 Cor. v. 2—5. 



17 

Pli. O, bliss !— 

O tidings heav'nly sweet ! — The very sound 
Is music, ev'n to ravishment ! — -But say, 
Is ours the sure possession ? 

Chr. Yea, most sure :— 

The Lord of that blest region thus decrees; — 
' The heritage ye seek, I freely grant. 91 

Pli. Each rapt'rous Word of Promise keens my 
thirst 
For swift enjoyment. — Let us urge the goal. 

1 Alas! my friend,' sigh'd Christian, < this dire load 

i Isa. lv. 1—3. John vi. 37. vii. 37. Rev. xxi. 6. xxii. 17. 
G 



IS 

1 Clogs ev'ry active spring : — I cannot speed 
* As else I would/* 

Thus flowed their pleasant talk * 
Nor eye nor ear had they for earthly thing : 
When, at one heedless bound, sudden they plunge, 
Precipitous, the Slough of black Despond ! — « 



* The conversation between Christian and Pliant, marks 
the difference in their characters, as well as the measure of the 
new convert's attainments. — The want of a due apprehension of 
things unseen and eternal, is evidently the primary defect of all 
who oppose or neglect religion. The men represented by Pliant, 
inquire eagerly about the good things to be enjoyed ; but not in 
any due proportion about the way of salvation, the difficulties to 
be encountered, or the danger of coming short 5 and new con- 
verts, being zealous, sanguine, and unsuspecting, are naturally 
led to enlarge on the descriptions of heavenly felicity given in 



19 

— Here wallow'd both awhile, in perilous plight : 
But Christian, chief : — Whelm'd in the rank morass 
To middle depth, hope, courage, vigour, fail'd ; 
While, feebly struggling, sank his burden'd frame. 



4 Where art thou now?' cried Pliant flound'rin^ 



back 
Through the near shallow, 



Scripture. These are generally figurative or negative 3 so that 
unregenerate persons annexing carnal ideas to them, are greatly 
delighted 3 and not being retarded by any distressing remorse and 
terror, or feeling the opposition of corrupt nature, (which is gra- 
tified in some respects, though thwarted in others,) they are 
often more zealous, and seem to proceed faster in external duties 
than true converts. They take it for granted that all the pri- 
vileges of the gospel belong to them 3 and being very confident, 
zealous, and joyful, they often censure those who are really fight- 
ing the good fight of faith, as deficient in zeal and alacrity. 



20 

Chr. Miserably plunged 

I know not where! 

1 And is it come to this?' 
Raged the false friend ; * Is this the rapture, pledged 

* In that fond, artful, smoothly-lengthen'd prate 
1 That lured me hither ? Woe to the hardy fool 

* Who meditates a blissful goal, when such 
' His ill-condition'd outset ! Let me 'scape 

' E'en with my life, be thine the brave reward/— 

This vented, at one despVate leap he sprang 
To the firm sod, and hurried home, well prankt 
For many a bitter taunt;* — while Christian, nerved 



* The Slough of Despond represents those discouraging fears 
which often harass new converts. These must be carefully dis- 



21 

To strenuous effort by extreme distress, 
Waded the Slough, with resolute resolve 



tinguished from those doubts and discouragements which assault 
the established christian : for these are generally the consequence 
of negligence or yielding to temptation : whereas new converts 
fall into their despondings, when most diligent according to the 
light they have received : and, if some conscientious persons seem 
to meet with this Slough in every part of their pilgrimage, it 
arises from an immature judgment, erroneous sentiments, or pe- 
culiar temptations. When the diligent student of the Scriptures 
obtains such an acquaintance with the perfect holiness of God, 
the spirituality of his law, the inexpressible evil of sin, and his 
own obligations and transgressions, as greatly exceeds the mea- 
sure in which he discerns the free and full salvation of the gos- 
pel, his humiliation will of course verge nearer and nearer to des- 
pondency. This, however, is not essential to repentance, but 
arises from misapprehension ; though few in proportion wholly 
escape it. — The mire of the Slough represents that idea which 
desponding persons entertain of themselves and their situation, as 



22 

To win the Gate,* or perish. — Thus he groped, 
Till, found 'ring near the shore, his cruel load 
There fix'd him,powerless,as with tenfold weight !- 
There had he sunk, perchance, beyond retrieve, 



altogether vile and loathsome ; and their confessions and self- 
abasing complaints, which render them contemptible in the opi- 
nion of others. As every attempt to rescue themselves discovers 
to them more of the latent evil of their hearts, they seem to grow 
worse and worse ; and, for want of a clear understanding of the 
gospel, they have no firm ground to tread on, and know neither 
where they are, nor what they must do. — On the other hand, su- 
perficial professors, expecting the promised happiness without 
trouble or suffering, are often very angry at those who were the 
means of leading them to think of religion ; as if they had de- 
ceived them : and, being destitute of true faith, their only object 
is, at any rate to get rid of their uneasiness. 

* The Wicket-Gate 5 to which Christian had been directed. 



23 

When lo! a gen'rous stranger, (Help his name,) 
With outstretch'd hand betokening timely aid, 
Ask'd, whence his dire disaster ? 

* Sir,' replied 
Th' exhausted Pilgrim, ' As I bent my way 

* For yonder Gate, — sped by a warning voice 

* To that blest refuge from the wrath to come,— 
' Sudden to the deep drench of this dire Slough 

* My heedless foot betray'd me' I 

Help. But why thus? 

How couldst thou pass unnoted, the firm steps 
That cross this dang'rous fen ? 

Chiu Fear follow'd hard :— 



24 

Right onward with improvident haste I fled, 
And thus fell in* 

Touched at his artless moan, 
Instant his trembling hand the Stranger grasp'd, 
On solid bearing fix'd him once again, 
And bade a kind farewell. 

Now midst my dream, 
Glowing with zeal for after-pilgrims' fate, 
The courteous man I questioned, Wherefore thus 
In foul neglect remain'd that hideous swamp — 
That treacherous barrier 'twixt impending wrath 
And their appointed refuge ? 

< Know/ said he, 



25 

* Nor human art, nor labour, can retrieve 

1 This loathsome sink. — Here, thro' innum'rous 

' drains, 
1 Descends incessant a polluted ooze 
1 From dregs of conscious guilt. Here, too, distils 
1 A baneful dew, by louring doubts and fears 
< Shower'd on the dismal marsh ; thence named 

1 Despond. 1 
1 —Yet not our gracious Sov'reign wills it thus 

* Remediless: Much toil, through many an age, 

' Hath harass'd his sent servants — but in vain ! — 

* Yea, in my brief remembrance, heaps immense 
' Of soundest discipline have here been sunk : — 

1 Yet nought avails. — " The Slough of black Des- 
" pond" 

1 Ps. xl. 2. Is. xxxt. 3, 4. 
D 



26 

1 'Tis noted still; and ever must remain. — 

4 Firm steps, indeed, the cautious foot, throughout, 

1 Secure may trace; save when intemp'rate skies 

* Unsettle the deep slime; — then, utmost care 

' Is baffled; and the dizzy brain betrays 

1 The hapless Pilgrim down to sudden fate.'* 



* The author, in a marginal note, explains the steps to mean, 
i the promises of forgiveness and acceptance to life by faith in 
c Christ ;' these include the general invitations, and the various 
encouragements given in Scripture to all who seek the salvation 
of the Lord, and diligently use the appointed means. 



©frrtetfatt seduced by WlOXW£=bii$t 

to Mount Sbitl&L — He arrives 

at the WiitfLtUl&aU. 



Now, cheer'd with hope 

Of speedy rest, the lonely Pilgrim spied, 
(Winding a path that cross'd his own strict line,) 
A hasty traveler. — From the neighb'ring town 
Of Carnal-Policy he came, and, mused 
By Christian's heavy toil, his sighs, his groans, 
Deem'd him that luckless Wanderer, so noised 



28 

For ideot enterprise. Anon, they met ; 

When Worldly-wise, (the civil stranger's name,) 

Bent on familiar converse, thus began.* 

1 How now, my honest friend? Whither away 
' Thus freighted?' 

' A tremendous load indeed,' 
(The Pilgrim sigh'd) ' as ever mortal bore ! 



* The wise men of this world carefully notice those who begin 
to turn their thoughts to religion, and attempt to counteract their 
convictions before the case becomes desperate : from their des- 
ponding fears they take occasion to insinuate that they are de- 
luded or disordered in their minds ; that they make too much ado 
about religion 5 and that a decent regard to it is all that is re- 
quisite, which consists with the enjoyments of this life, and even 



29 

* And, for my drift, yon Wicket I would reach ; — 
1 That blest retreat, where kind instruction waits 

1 me, 
i How this sore-laden frame may quickly find 
6 Safe riddance.' 



conduces to secular advantage. — Worldly-wise, therefore, is 
a person of consequence, whose superiority gives him influence 
over poor Pilgrims : he is a reputable and successful man ; pru- 
dent, sagacious, and acquainted with mankind; moral, and re- 
ligious in bis way, and qualified to give the very best counsel to 
those who wish to serve both God and Mammon : but he is 
decided in his judgment against all kinds and degrees of religion, 
which interfere with a man's worldly interest, disquiet his mind, 
or spoil his relish for outward enjoyments. — He resides in Car- 
nal-Policy, a great town near the city of Destruction : for 
worldly prudence, modelling a man's religion, is as ruinous as 
open vice and impiety; though it be very prevalent among 
decent and virtuous people. 



30 

Wor. Owns thy heart, then v no tranquil home ? 
No wife, no children ? 

Chr. Yea, — my solace once, 

But this dire burden mars my ev'ry joy ; 
And now, methinks, through the wide world I rove 
As one bereft. 1 

Wor. But say, — wilt thou abide 

My counsel ? 

Chr. Gladly, if thou prove my friend ; — 

My need is urgent. 

Wor. Be it then, thy first, 

1 1 Cor. vii. 29. 



31 

Thy special care, to rid without delay 
That weary cumbrance : — Never, till that hour 
Shall settled peace be thine, nor the pure taste 
Of HeavVs unsparing bounty. 

1 O, 'tis for that' 
(Said Christian, fervently,) * that blest release 
' Long promised, still del ay 'd, I toil, I groan : 
* Vain is my evVy effort '—friendly aid, 
' As yet, proves pow'rless ; and in trembling hope 
' I speed, impatient, to my last resource !' 

Wor. Who urged thee hitherward, to seek re- 
lief? 

Chr. A venerable Sage, of saintly mien, 



32 

Pointed my way,— his name, Evangelist. 

< Beshrew your sapient Monitor;' exclaim'd 
The wily sophist: ' Such dread ruin crowds 
4 That hideous way, might daunt a heart of steel ; 
1 As thou, thus madly bent, too soon shalt know. 
' Already the deep dregs of yon vile Slough 
« Mark thee the prey of sorrows but begun : l 
1 Then trust my riper skill ; — be timely warn'd, 
' Or take thy portion: — Weariness uncheer'd, 
* Soul-racking pain, fierce hunger ne'er appeased, 
' Sword, peril, nakedness ; the prowling rage 
1 Of lions, the fell dragon's fiery breath, 
' Darkness, — yea, thousand horrors yet unthoughf, 
1 And Death, half welcome in his loathliest form ! 

1 Matt. xxiv. 8. 



33 

* — Such the faint shadow of a pilgrim } s fare :— 
4 Then rouse thee from thy perilous trance ! nor 

6 stake 
6 On weak credulities, thy life, thy all.' 

4 Alas!' said Christian, ' this intolerant load, 
* This bulk of woe, all other ills outweighs: 
4 Yea, cheerful would I brave their dread array, 
4 To rid that single pest.' 

Won. But say, my friend, 

How came that grievance thine? 

Chr. Most strange to tell : — » 

This wondrous book unwitting as I scann'd, 
The faithful semblance of mine inmost self, 



34 

As in a glass, presented. Terror-struck 

To view my dark deformity, I dared 

No second glance ; but ever-conscious guilt 

Press'd heavy on my soul ; when lo ! anon, 

Fruit of mine inward burden, sprang this load; 

This type, this sum, of all my misery! 

Won. Ev'n so I deem'd. — So fares, (a just re- 
ward,) 
Th' intruder on high mysteries. — Tis thus 
Full many a visionary dupe is driven 
To wild distractions ; till, unmann'd as thou, 
The driv'lling dotards traverse land and sea, 
Desp'rate, on airy schemes. 

Chr. No airy scheme, 



35 

No desp'rate stake is mine : 'tis rest / seek, 
Ease from this ruthless burden. 

4 What!' exclaim'd 
The dark dissembler, 4 Dream'st thou still of ease, 
4 Of ease, in this thy dreary pilgrimage? — 
* Nay, tempt not stubborn fate ; but lend ev'n note 
4 A patient ear; confide my proffer'd aid ; 
4 And briefly thou shalt win thy heart's desire 
4 Unharm'd : yea, sweetly reap, in blest exchange 
4 For toils and dangers, safety, friendship, peace,'* 



* There is great beauty in this dialogue, arising from the 
exact regard to character preserved throughout. Indeed this 
forms one of our author's peculiar excellencies; as it is a very 
difficult attainment, and always manifests a superiority of ge- 



36 

Chr. O, grant me, then, the secret clue! 

Wor. Attend- 

In yon fair Village, from its founder named 
Morality, a worthy Casuist dwells; 
Wise, virtuous, friendly ; yea, of noted skill 
The heavy-laden Pilgrim to release, 



nius. — The arguments of Worldly-wise are very specious. 
Re does not say, that Evangelist had not pointed out the way 
of salvation, or that wicked men are not in danger of future 
misery: but he urges, that so much concern about sin and the 
eternal world takes men off from a proper regard to their secular 
concerns, and injures their families: that it prevents their en- 
joying comfort in domestic life, or in other providential blessings ; 
that it leads them iuto perilous and distressing situations, of 
which their first terrors and despondings are only an earnest j 
th'dt a troubled conscience may be quieted in a more expeditious 



37 

And tame his wilder'd reason. Haste — enquire 

The learned Sage, (Legality his name,) 

Or, missing him, consult his hopeful Son 

Civility; — renown'd for equal skill. — 

Anon disburden'd, shouldst thou then prefer 

That tranquil refuge to thy native home, 

As well thou may'st; (for all that heart can wish 



and easy manner; and that they may obtain credit, comfort, and 
manifold advantages, by following prudent counsel. — On the 
other hand, Christian speaks in the character of a young con- 
vert. He makes no secret of his distress and terrors, and declares 
without reserve the method in which he sought relief. He owns 
he has lost his relish for every earthly comfort, and desires to 
receive good counsel : but while he is prepared to withstand all 
persuasions to return home, he is not upon his guard against 
the insidious advice of his adversary. 



38 

Shall there be thine ;) call thy half-widow'd spouse 
And infant charge, thy happy lot to share.* 

Here Christian paused, in tremulous debate 
Of hopes and fears : — but, M sure relief at hand' 9 
Soon fix'd his choice ; and, with importunate zeal 
And blithely-beating pulse, he craved the way. 



* The village Morality represents that large company, who, 
in nations favoured with revelation, abstain from scandalous vices, 
and practise reputable duties, without any genuine fear or love 
of God, or regard, to his authority or glory- This decency of 
conduct aims principally at the acquisition of reputation, or tem- 
poral advantages, with only a subordinate respect even to the 
interests of eternity. It is entirely different from humble, cheer- 
ful, unreserved obedience j it leaves the heart in the possession 
of some worldly idol, and never constitutes a spiritual worshipper, 
or renders a man meet for the pleasures of heaven. — The most 



39 

Wor. Beneath yon lofty hill, winds a smooth 
track 
Well travelFd ; — thither bend thy steady course, 
And mark the first fair dome that crowns the vale :— •■ 
There dwells thy kind deliverer. 



noted inhabitant of this village derives his name, Legality, 
not from making the law of God his rule and standard, (for 
" by the law is the knowledge of sin," which tends to increase the 
convinced sinner's distress ;) but from his teaching men to depend 
on a defective obedience to a small part of the law, falsely ex- 
plained, according to the method of the scribes and pharisees. 
These teachers, however, are admired by the wise men of this 
world, and are deemed very skilful in relieving troubled con- 
sciences, and recovering men from religious distractions! — Civi- 
lity represents those who persuade themselves and others, that 
a decent, benevolent, and obliging behaviour, will secure men 
from all future punishment, and insure an inheritance in heaven, 
if indeed there be any such place ! 



40 

At the word, 
With panting speed impatient of delay, 
Veer'd the deluded Pilgrim, till he gaiVd 
The mount's broad bound. — There, all aghast he 

stood : — 
For, lo! that mystic height that smiled afar, 
Now sternly frown 'd him thence ! The horrid steep, 
Loose piled, and grim with many a yawning cleft, 
Rose to mid heav'n. A pond'rous crag thatridg'd 
The dizzy brow, hung dark, in perilous poise, 
Sheer o'er the crumbling base; threat' ningswift fate 
On his devoted head : While sudden flame 
Flash'd like a fiery sword, wrathful and keen, 
Warding the gloomy pass I 1 The Pilgrim gazed 
Astound, and palsied with petrific fear. 

1 Exod. xix. 16— 18. Heb. xii. 21. 



41 

Nor ever pressM more merciless than now 
His galling load : nor penitent remorse 
Rankled at heart more painfully. So stood 
The wretched recreant; when, behold, that friend, 
Once welcomed as an anoel form, drew niofh ! — 
Severe rebuke frown'd on his alter' d brow, 
And deep suffused the wanderer's pallid cheek 
With guilty crimson ; whilst in solemn tone 
Of temper d wrath, Evangelist thus began. 

4 What dost thou here? — Say,artnotthoutheman 
6 Whom late I found wailing without the walls 
4 Of yon devoted City?'*f 

* The City of Destruction, [see page 7, line 3.] 
f Christian must go past mount Sinai to the village Mo- 
rality: not that such men, as depend on their own reforma- 

F 



42 

A dead pause 
Stifled th' unwilling truth, but yielded soon 
To full and frank confession. 

Ev. Urged I not 

Thy flight, undevious, tow'rd the Wicket-Gate ? 
Then why so suddenly revolted thus 
From that good way ? 



tion and good works, pay a due regard to the holy law of God, 
for they are w alive without the law 3" but they substitute their 
own scanty obedience in the place of the righteousness and atone- 
ment of Christ. They who are not humbled in true repentance, 
perceiving little danger, pass on securely 5 but the true penitent 
finds every attempt*' to establish his own right coyness" entirely 
abortive 3 the more he compares his conduct and character with 
the divine law, the greater is his alarm 5 and he sometimes trembles 
lest its curses should immediately fall upon him, with vengeance 



43 

Chr. My cruel hap it was, 

While faint with many a deep and despVate plunge 
Through yonder Slough, to meet, in social mood, 
A courtly stranger: — Much he questioned me 
Of my dire load, and dang'rous pilgrimage; — 
I freely told him all; when, prompt, and kind, 
As one who laid at heart my keen distress, 
He proffer'd me, unask'd, a blest release : — 
Too soon beguiled, my treach'rous heart he gain'd, 
And hitherward, in sure belief, I stray'd ; — 



more tremendous than the most awful thunder. Then the counsels 
of worldly wisdom appear in their true light, and the sinner is 
prepared to welcome free salvation: and should the minister, 
whose instructions he had forsaken, meet him, conscious shame 
would be added to his terror; and he would even be tempted to 
shun his faithful friend, through fear of merited reproof. 



44 

When,lo! this mount, threat' ning with instant death 
The next rash step, thus forced me to a pause. 

Ev. Mark, then, with trembling awe, this so- 
lemn Word : — 
" See that ye spurn not Him who speaks to man 
" In Oracles Divine : For, if to scorn 
" His sacred mandate by a mortal tongue, 
" Provoke his vengeance, how shall we escape, 
" If Him we set at nought who speaks from 

"heav'n!" 1 
— Hear yet again : — " The just shall live by faith : 
" But whoso swerves to unbelief, in him 
H My soul shall have no pleasure." 2 — Such thy 
guilt: — 

1 Heb. xii. 25. 2 Heb. x. 38. 



45 

The Word of the Most High thou hast contemn'd ; 
His counsel shunn'd ; his covenant disdain'd ; 
Till from the way of peace thy foot hath stray'd, 
Ev'n to Perdition's brink ! 

At that dire word, 
The Pilgrim, smitten as with a thunder-stroke, 
Fell at his feet as dead ! — Compassion touch'd 
The missioned Sage : — Heseized his clay-cold hand, 
And breathed into his soul this vital balm : — 
" — All sin, all blasphemy, shall be forgiv'n 
" Toman: 1 — Then be not faithless,but believe/'* — 

1 Matt. xii. 31. Mark iii. 28, 29. 



* It appears from this passage, that the author judged it right, 
in dealing with persons under great terror of conscience, but who 



46 



-That word of life 



Won back his fainting spirit: — He revived — 
To trembling hope revived, and meekly wail'd 
In silent sufferance his dread revolt. — 



may not be duly sensible of the heinousness and aggravations of 
their guilt, to aim at preparing them for solid peace by further 
instructions, rather than hastily giving them comfort. — A com- 
passionate, but injudicious method, of proposing consolatory 
topics indiscriminately to all under trouble of conscience, lulls 
many into a fatal sleep, and gives others a transient peace which 
soon terminates in deeper despondency: as a wound, hastily 
skinned over by an ignorant practitioner, instead of being effec- 
tually cured by the patient attention of a skilful surgeon, will 
soon become worse than before. — The communication of more 
knowledge may indeed augment a man's terror and distress : but 
if it produce a deeper humiliation, it will effectually warn him 
against carnal counsellors and false dependences. — c Turning 
1 aside' from the gospel implies a direct refusal to hearken to 



47 

Then thus Evangelist: — < Give earnest heed, 
* Whilst briefly I unmask that wily knave, 
4 Thy base betrayer: He (Worldly-wise well named) 
4 Savours alone of worldly policy. 1 — 
4 In sanctimonious form he oft frequents 
6 Morality's proud temple :* — Much he hates 

1 1 John, iv. 5. 



Christ 5 and all who do thus, run into misery and leave the 
way of peace, to the hazard of their souls. 1 These denunciations 
are despised by the stout-hearted, but the contrite in spirit, when 
consciously guilty, if thus addressed, would fall into despair, did 
not the ministers of Christ encourage them by the grace of the 
gospel. 

* Worldly-wise goes to church at the town of Morality : 
for the persons here represented, in great measure support their 
confidence and reputation for religion by attending on those 
preachers, who substitute a proud scanty morality in the place 

1 Gal. v. 4. 



48 

6 And shims the cross :* therefore that only way 

' To bliss divine he glories to pervert. — 

i — Now mark me : — Thou must utterly abhor 

i Three prime delusions of thy wary foe, 

1 That lured and thrall'd thee like a triple snare. 

6 See thou detest his winning thee to shun 
4 The heav'n-appointedWay : — ThyLord proclaims, 
" Strait is the way of Life — by few discern'd : 
" Strive thou to enter in" 2 

1 Gal. vi. 12. * Matt.vii. 13, 14. Luke xiii. 24. 



of the gospel. This both flatters their self-preference, and coin- 
cides with their carnal pursuits : and they verily think they have 
found out the secret of reconciling the friendship of the world 
with the favour of God ; and set up for teachers of the same 
convenient system. 



49 

' Nor less abhor 

* His crafty zeal to scandalize the cross : — 

* The cross, thy pledge of glory, thy prime boast, 
1 Thy richest treasure: 1 — Hear thy Lord again. — 
" Who shuns the cross to save his life, shall lose 

"it:"— 
1 Yea — " Whoso follows me, and for my sake 
" Hates not each fond usurper of his love, 
" Parent, or Wife, or Children ; or accounts 
u His own life dear, cannot be my disciple." 2 

4 But, chiefly, Ihou must execrate the guile 

* That lured thee here: — 'Twas thy sworn foe's 

6 fond hope 

1 Heb. xi. 25, 26. » Matt. x. 37—39. Mark viii. 34, 35. 

Luke xiv. 26, 27. John xii. 25. 

G 



50 

* To minister thy bane at this dread mount — 

4 Sinai, the mount of death : — or, 'scaping hence, 
6 To shackle thee for life the menial drudge 
' Of stern Legality ; (a bondmaid's son,) 1 

* The very prince of slaves.* — One timely pause 

* Had warn'd thee from the snare : for well thou 

' know'st 

* No vaunted legalist can e'er appease 

4 The troubled conscience, or avail to rid 
4 Thy penal burden.' 2 — 

1 Gal. iv. 21—27. « Rom. iii. 20. Gal. ii. 16. 



* The Author in some rude verses subjoined to this incident, 
observes, that " Worldly-wise can only shew a saint the way 
6< to bondage and misery." 



51 

Here Evangelist raised 
His arm, terrific; and with hallow'd zeal 
Call'd on the frowning heaven to confirm 
His monitory charge; — nor calFd in vain:— 
— Thund'ring majestic from the mount of wrath, 
A dread voice sounded : — fiercer flame shot forth : — * 
Aghast the Pilgrim shrunk,— and this the Word.— 
4 Whoso abides the Law, sustains the Curse; 
* As it is written—" Cursed is the man 
" Who keeps not, sinless, all its just commands." 1 * 

i Gal. iii. 10. 



* All professed christians, who depend on notions, sacraments, 
religious duties, and morality, and neglect Christ and the new 
covenant in his blood, are entangled in a fatal error. They seek 
the blessing " not by faith, but as it were by the works of the 



52 

Not ev'n Perdition's gulph rent at his feet, 
Had Christian more appalPd : — Instant he waits 
A fiery death-stroke ! moaning many a curse 
On his base folly, and that fatal hour 
That snared him to the foe. — Yet still he breathes! — 
He wins new fervor from the blest reprieve, 
And, with impassion'd speech this suit prefers. — 



" law ; M u for they stumble at that stumbling stone." — The Scrip- 
tures adduced by Evangelist are so pertinent and conclusive 
against this species of religion, that they can never be fairly an- 
swered : nay, the more any man considers them, as the testimony 
of God himself, the greater must be his alarm, (even as if he 
heard the voice from Mount Sinai out of the midst of the fire ;) 
unless he be conscious of having renounced every other confi- 
dence, to " flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us" 
in the gospel. 



53 

* Oh tell me, thou best friend ! — Say, is there 
4 hope ? 
i May I yet reach the Gaje, nor thence be spurn'd? 
4 May my remorseful anguish be assuaged ? 

* My sin forgiv'n?' 

* Truly thy guilt is great,' 
Replied Evangelist, ' yea, of crimson dye ; — 

* But Mercy follows thee : — Take courage, then, 

* Nor doubt of smiling welcome at the Gate, 

1 Nor liberal fare within : — With wide-spread arms 

* There stands a Guardian-Herald, and proclaims 
" Good will to Man!" — ' But see thou stray no more ; 
€ Lest, (thy Lord's wrath new-kindled,) from the 

* way 



54 

6 Thou perish utterly/ 1 

Thus cheer'd, thus warn'd, 
Th' indulgent Monitor one smile benign, 
One parting kiss, vouchsafed ; bade him God speed, 
And urged him on his way. 

As one who plies 
Vent'rous an adverse stream midst rocks and shoals ; 
With perilous hardihood o'erspent, steers back, 
And dreads the subtle tide he braved before; 
So Christian sped: — Still on forbidden ground, 
Each foot, each voice, alarm'd him! Dumb he 
pass'd 

1 Psa.ii. 12. 



55 

All courtesy — to all enquiry deaf; — - 
Nor lax'd his jealous heed, nor deem'd him safe, 
Till, once again, his treacherous foot retrieved 
The long-deserted way, — The Gate in view, 
A joyous tear dimmM his first glance. — Anon, 
He wins the lowly portal, on whose front 
This record beam'd : — ' Knock, and it shall be 
' open'd.' 1 * 

1 Matt, vii, 7, 8. 



* This Gate represents Christ himself, as received by the 
penitent sinner for all the purposes of salvation. — By him every 
true penitent enters into the narrow way to life, though with dif- 
ficulty and conflict, as through a " strait Gate:" 1 for the cou- 
vert cannot carry along with him any of his sinful practices, un- 
godly companions, worldly idols, or false confidences, when he 

* Matt. vii. 13, 14. 



56 

Bold he approach'd, and with importunate zeal 
Knock'd thrice. — Nor less alert the vigilant Ward, 
(Good-will his name,) answer'd the hasty call, 
With narrow scrutiny, and brief demand. 

* Behold aburden'dsinner!' (Christian sigh'd;)— 
i — Late from the City of Destruction warn'd, 



enters in : nor can he effectually contend with those enemies that 
obstruct his passage, unless he wrestle continually with God in 
prayer for his gracious assistance. — And therefore our Lord has 
said a Strive to enter in at the strait gate." 1 Nor must we for- 
get that the sinner returns to God by faith in Christ; that ge- 
nuine repentance comes from him and leads to him; and that 
the true believer not only trusts in the Lord for salvation, but 
also seeks his liberty and happiness in his service. 

1 Luke xiii. 24. 



57 

4 I flee the wrath to come; and here would pass, 
* A Pilgrim to Mount Zion. — Such my plea; 
' O, say, wilt thou receive me V 

' Readily, 
1 With all my heart;' replied the generousFriend.* — 
— Back flew the Gate: — The Pilgrim press'd — 

O bliss! 
The sacred threshold. — The kind Guardian seized 



* Good-will seems to be emblematick of the compassionate 
love of God to sinners through Jesus Christ. 1 — He " came 
u from heaven to do the will of him that sent him," and " he will 
" in no wise cast out any that come to him," either on acount of 
former sins, or present mistakes, infirmities, evil habits, or pecu- 
liar temptations. For " he waits to be gracious," till sinners 
seek him by earnest persevering- prayer. 

1 Luke ii. 14. 
H 



58 

His welcome Charge, and forced him safe within ! — 
i — One moment's pause,' he cried, ' and here, ev'n 

* here, 
i What peril had been thine ! — for lo ! hard by, 
' An ancient Castle stands; gloomy and strong ; 
4 The savage hold of Beelzebub; Thence, oft, 
1 He with his host of myrmidons assails 
i By fiery darts, the feeble and the faint 
i Who here seek entrance ; hopeful to transfix 
i His weary mark, ev'n at the very goal!'* 

i Thus safe', said Christian, ' 'mid such peril saved, 
* (All thanks to thee) with trembling I rejoice.' 1 

1 Psa.ii. 11. 



* As sinners become more decided in counting all but loss 
for Christ, and assiduous in the means of grace, Satan, if per- 



©ftttetfatt instructed by $VAtX$XtttX* 



******* ***** 

An ancient hall, ungarnish'd, dark, and drear, 
Received them. The still dust of many a year 
Spread the wide pavement in a sordid heap : — 
The Sage commands a gloomy slave to sweep ; 



mitted, will be more vehement in his endeavours to discourage 
them : that, if possible, he may induce them to desist, and so 
come short of the prize. — The powers of darkness will attempt 
to disturb all those who earnestly cry for mercy, by various sug- 



60 

And, instant seized with suffocating pain, 
Gasp'd the pale Pilgrim. — He commands again ; 
When, meekly graceful, from a crystal rill 
A smiling Damsel shower'd, and all was still, 
And by the sullen menial cleansed at will. — 
That peril psst, the Pilgrim breathed again, 
And sought, with lowly rev'rence, to obtain 
The secret import. 

* This neglected room, 5 
(Replied the kind Instructor,) i shadows forth 



gestions to which they were wholly strangers while satisfied with 
a form of godliness : and the christian's grand conflict to the end 
of his course, consists in surmounting the hindrances and oppo- 
sition he meets with, in keeping near to the throne of grace, hy 
fervent, importunate, and persevering prayer. 



61 

' Man's graceless heart : The dust, his inward taint, 
6 Deep — universal — of original sin: — 
' The Slave who swept the nuisance, is the Law; 
' The Damsel, meek, the Gospel, Now,asthousaw'st 
' How he who first essay'd roused the dire plague 
1 To wider mischief, but, to cleanse or quell 

* Baffled his skill ; be wisely taught from hence, 
1 That ev'n the Law, misused to vanquish sin, 

1 Tho' sternly it forbid, and keen detect, 

* Can but revive, and aggravate, and spread 

1 That subtle bane. 1 * Yet, as thou didst perceive 

1 Rom. vii. 6. 1 Cor. xv. 56. Rom. v. 20. 



* [So Milton. — 

" The Law was given them to evince 

" Their natural pravity, by stirring up 



62 

' The ferment quick subdued by Her who pour'd 
' The kindly shower, so, when the Gospel sheds 

* A sweet ablution from the Fount of Grace, 

4 Sin, vanquish'd first, then, readily expelPd, 

* The vilest heart presents a pure abode, 

* Meet for the King of Glory/ l * 

1 John xv. 3. Acts xt. 9. Rom. xvi. 25, 26. Eph. v. 26. 



' Sin against law to fight :- 



u Law can discover sin, but not remove .** 

Par. Lost. B. xii. I. 286—290.] 
* When the law of God is brought with energy to the con- 
science, its strictness, spirituality, and severity, awaken the latent 
enmity of the heart : the absolute self-denial it demands even in 
the most plausible claims of self love, and its express prohibition 
of the darling sin, with the experienced impracticability of ade- 
quate obedience to its spiritual precepts, and the awful sentence 
it denounces against every transgressor, concur in exciting oppo- 
sition to it, and even to Him who gave it and is determined to 



63 

The sacred Monitor his wondering* guest 
Led to a scanty room. Two Youths, imprest 
With varied lineaments, in silence sate ; — 
Passion and Patience named : The one, sedate, 

magnify and establish it in honour. The discovery also in the 
heart of evils which before lay dormant, the consciousness of 
coveting things prohibited, and the conviction that this concupi- 
cence is sinful, induce the awakened sinner to conclude that he 
is viler than ever : and indeed a clearer knowledge of the divine 
law must aggravate the guilt of every sin. Thus being deeply 
humbled, and taken off from self-confidence, he is prepared to un- 
derstand and welcome the free salvation of the gospel. Then the 
law appears to him disarmed of its curse, as the rule and stand- 
ard of holiness : encouraged by the truths and promises of the 
gospel, and animated to exertion by its motives, he delights in 
"cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and per- 
" fecting holiness in the fear of God," that he mav be " an habita- 
(( tion of God through the Spirit." 



64 

And calm, and meek, with eye of heav'nly blue ; 
And life's pure morning-rose of loveliest hue 
Wreathed with his cherub smile. The other, blent 
Of sickly cares and sullen discontent. — 
— In sudden transport of unquelFd desire 
Frenzied he foams, and darts malignant fire: 
His angry cheek with fitful crimson burns, 
While his pale lip, gnaw'd and convulsed by turns, 
Vents many a stubborn sigh : — Sight so depraved, 
Grieved Christian's parent-heart, who, pensive 

craved 
The melancholy cause. 

' Know,' said the Sage, 
6 The prudent Guardian of yon tender charge, 
' Wills each for his inheritance should wait 



65 

; The coming year: — Passion demands all now; 
6 But Patience yields him to the wise delay.' — 

While yet he spake, behold th' expected prize 
At Passion's feet pour'd forth:— He feasts his eyes ; — 
Intoxicate he grasps the glittering toy, 
And sneers and laughs to scorn the patient boy, 
Unmoved spectator of his frantic joy. — 
— Anon, a graceless prodigal contest, 
He squanders all: — Yea, strips his very vest; 
Till nought remains his own, but empty bags, 
And pining penury, and starveling rags! 

* Lo!' said the Seer, ' in allegoric type 
1 Man's just epitome. — Wild Passion, marks 
' The slaves of this vain world; whose all of bliss 



66 



Time's shallow NOW contains! — Patience, the 



* heirs 

* Of that blest world to come; whose sacred joys 

* Through heavVs interminable year shall flow, 

1 Pure, fathomless, unbounded! — Now as thou saw'st 
1 How Passion's wealth soon squandered, sunk to 

* rags, 

4 Such the poor worldling's fate when Time shall 
1 end'. * 

************ 



* In this instructive emblem, Passion represents the preva- 
lence of the carnal affections over reason and religion. Whatever 
be the object, this dominion of the passions produces fretfulness 
and childish perverseness, when the imagined temporal good is 
withheld. This impatience of delay or disappointment is how- 



67 



-Now, a deep dungeon's drear abyss 



They venture down : but nought save horrid gloom 
And clammy death-damp, seem'd to linger there ! — 
Anon, by one dim crevice-gleam, they glance 
A haggard form, in rugged iron caged, 
Pale as a midnight spectre ! Prone, and stark, 
And plunged in the dense void, sunk his wild gaze ! 
His skeleton hands, bone within bone fell clasp'd ! 



ever succeeded by pride, insolence, and inordinate though transi- 
ent joy, when the man is indulged with the possession of his idol 5 
yet he soon grows dissatisfied with success, and often speedily 
lavishes away his coveted advantages. — On the other hand, Pati- 
ence is the emblem of those who quietly aud meekly wait for 
future happiness, renouncing present things for the sake of it. 
True riches, honours, and pleasures, are intended for them, but 
not here j and, as young children well governed, they simply wait 
for them till the appointed season, in the way of patient obedi- 



68 

While from his breaking heart, heaved the drawn 

sigh 
Of uttermost despair ! 

The Pilgrim mused 
In mournful sympathy; and questional brief 
The captive's dolorous tale. 

i Ah me!' replied 
The miserable man? ' I was not once as now V 



ence. — The life faith is the reign of reason over passion ; while 
unbelief makes way for the triumph of passion over reason. Nor 
can any thing be more essential to practical religion than an 
abiding conviction, that it is the only true wisdom, uniformly and 
cheerfully to part with every temporal good, whenever it inter- 
feres with the grand concerns of eternity. 



69 
Chr. Speak — speak thy bitter change, 

6 In brighter days/ 
Sigh'd the desponding' Shade, ' (Oh, falsely bright !) 
4 In high profession of Eternal Truth 
* I flourished fair: — fair in mine own conceit, 
' And boast of all around : yea, fond I pressed 
4 In confidence of pride, my self-plann'd way 
i To endless bliss, and panted for the prize 
6 With unfeign'd ardor.' 1 

* But what art thou nowV 
Said Christian, shuddering as he bent his ear 
To the dread answer. 

y Luke viii. 13. 



70 

' Victim of Despair!' 
(Groan'd out the hollow-thund'ring voice;) ' Shut 

4 up — 
6 My lost — lost soul in vengeful woe shut up, 
* As in this cage my body! — Never more 
' To pass that gulph ! — 0, never! — ' 

Chr« But how sunk 

Thy tow'ring hope to nethermost despair? 

Prisoner. I banish'd sober watchfulness: — My 
lusts 
Grown headstrong, on their stubborn neck I laid 
The feeble reins: — I sinn'd against the light 
Of God's own Word: — His goodness I abused: — 
His Holy Spirit, grieved, forsook my soul : — 



71 

I lured the Tempter, and he enter'd there : — 
The God I spurn'd rebellious, mocks my cry: 1 — 
So hard my heart, I cannot now repent: — 
Oh — now I cannot! 

Chr. But may no beam of hope 

Yet break this double midnight of thy soul? 

Pr. None none Oh none! 

Chr. Yet sure, that gracious Friend, 
The Son of the Blessed, will not cast thee off 
For ever! — Still, Compassion is his Name, 
His Nature, Love. 

1 Prov. i. 24—26. 



72 

Pr. Him I have crucified 

Afresh : l — Despised his Person : 2 — Set at nought 
His saving Righteousness: — His precious blood 
Deem'd an unholy thing: — Yea, done despite 
To his good Spirit! 3 — Thus have I shut out 
From HeavVs free Promises my wretched soul, 
And nought remains my everlasting due, 

But Threats: tremendous, righteous, faithful 

threats 
Of fiery vengeance, hast'ning to devour 
Me as an adversary. 

Chr. But for what 

Could'st thou thus barter HeavVs peculiar Grace? 

1 Heb. vi. 4—6. * Luke xix. 14. 3 Heb. x. 28, 29. 



73 

Pr. Forsordidlusts,vilepleasures,worldlygain:- 
Each promised full delight: — But now, Oh now, 
They haunt and sting me like a burning worm! 

Chr. Yet wherefore may'st thou not repent and 
turn? 

Pr. Repentance God witholds me : — His sworn 
Word 
Forbids me to believe : Yea, his own hand 
Hath in this iron bondage barr'd me down 

Thus hopeless! O Eternity! Eternity! 

How shall I grapple with the pangs that wait 
My soul through vast Eternity!* 



* Christian's discourse with the man in the iron cage, suf- 
K 



74 



— — And now 

They enter a lorn chamber, drear and dim 
With early twilight. From his restless couch 
Sprang, shuddering, an emaciate form, as one 
Haunted by haggard Fantasies. — 



ficiently explains the author's meaning : but it has often been 
observed, that the man's opinion of his own case does not prove 
that it was indeed desperate. Doubtless such fears prevail in 
some cases of deep despondency, when there is every reason to 
conclude them groundless 5 and we should always propose the 
free grace of the gospel to those that have sinned in the most 
aggravated manner, especially when they become sensible of their 
guilt and danger. Yet it is an awful fact, that some are thus 
'shut up under despair,' beyond relief: and " it is impossible to 
u renew them to repentance" So that no true penitent can be in 



75 

Chr. What ails 

That lonely trembler? 

Interp. Hear his own sad plaint. 

6 This night/ falter'd the sufFrer, « midst mydream 
1 Methought the heav'ns grew black: while thro* 

6 the void 
< Raged wrathful thunder-crash, and bolted flame. 

* In agony of guilt I gazed around. — 

* The clouds rack'd horribly : — The trump of doom 



this case : and we are commanded (( in meekness to instruct those 
" that oppose themselves, if perad venture God will give them re* 
(C pentance." But wc should leave the doom of apparent apos- 
tates to God 5 and improve their example, as a warning to our- 



76 

* PeaPd from on high: — The Judge tremendous, 

' throned 

* On a bright cloud, in glorious pomp came down: 
' His myriad hosts, weapon'd with vengeful fire, 

i To the dread advent throng'd: when,lo! a voice — 
1 A voice from the mid heav'n — " Arise, ye dead, 
" And come to judgment /"—Pale from sepulchral 
' rock, 

* Rent grave, and yawning flood, the dead came 

1 forth. 1 

» John v. 28, 29. 1 Cor. xv. 51—58. 2 Thess. i. 7—10. 
Jude. 14,15. Rev. xx. 11—15. 



selves and others, not to venture one step in so dangerous a 
path. — This our author has judiciously attempted in a most strik- 
ing manner, and God forbid that I should in the least coun- 
teract his obvious intention. 



77 

( Some, changing 1 bright from earthly to divine, 

* With hopeful joy gazed upward. Others, laps'd 
( To foul satanic semblance, craved aloud 

1 'Neath the crash'd mountains an eternal tomb! 1 

* Anon, the Judge his fateful Book unclosed, 

' (Nowsumm'd compleat) and bade the world draw 

' near. 
4 Buoyant on surging vapour, rose at once 
6 The congregated Universe ! — thus borne, 

* Till, on the verge of uncreated light, 

1 All — all stood poised ! all ranged infallible, 
4 As each, self-doom'd, in conscious hope or fear 
1 Waited his just award! 2 Then, sounded forth — 
1 ( — O still it harrows my tormented soul,) 

1 Ps. 1. 1—3, 22. Isa. xxvi. 20, 21. Mic. vii. 16, 17. 
* Dan. vii. 9, 10. Mai. iii. 2, 3. 



78 

' Th' irrevocable mandate. " Gather first 

" The tares, the chaff, the stubble, to the lake 
" Qf.fi re unquenchable /" — ' That instant, yawn'd 
* Ev'n at my feet, th' unfathomable gulph! — 
1 Down, down to central fire, th' ejected crew 
6 Rush'd headlong! whilst, by torrid whirlwinds 

* driv'n, 
' The billowy sulphur whelm'd them as theyplunged 
< Hell's throng'd abyss! — Excruciate in suspense, 
' Alone I stood ; when thus again the Judge, 
' Ineffably benign : — " Gather my wheat 
" To the celestial garner" 1 — The blest charge 
i Sped each bright angel for some kindred saint, 
e Nor one returned unsocial: 2 — But, for me — 



1 Mai. iv. 1,2. Matt. iii. 12. xiii. 30. Luke iu. 17, 
2 1 Thess. iv. 13—18. 



79 

* O, horror! — no kind angel stoop'd for me! — 

fi I sought swift refuge from th* all-piercing Eye 
4 That menaced me. — Vain hope! — Still, still it 

6 probed 
6 Mine inmost soul; by conscious guilt prejudged 

* To merciless perdition I 1 — Welt'ring thus 

* In pangs of uttermost despair, I woke. — ' 

************ 

1 Rom. ii. 14, 15. 



©firtaStiatt arrives at the <&V0$& 

and drops his Burden. 



— A safe well-travell'd course before him lay, 

On either hand with high munition skreen'd 

Of strong Salvation, 1 Here, with laboring speed, 

The zealous Pilgrim journey'd, till he gain'd 

A smooth-sloped hill, crown'd with a gory Cross ! — 

Deep in a rock that fenced that sacred height, 

1 Isaiah xxvi. 1. 



82 

Was sunk, unportal'd, a sepulchral cave: 
When, lo! as near the Cross rev'rent he paused, 
Down dropt his pond'rous load! and, self-impell'd 
Roll'd on; till, swift within the cavern plunged, 
It vanish'd, and he saw that pest no more!* 

As one who through a long, a restless night, 
Heaved, panted, groan'd, beneath the giant weight 
Of torpid Incubus, with sudden start 



* Nothing can release the believer from his burden except 
the clear discovery of the nature and glory of redemption.— When 
in this divine light the soul contemplates the Redeemer's cross, 
and discerns more clearly his love to lost sinners in dying for 
them ; the motive and efficacy of his intense sufferings ; the glory 
of the divine perfections harmoniously displayed in this surpris- 



83 

Breaks joyous from the spell, he knows not how; 
So Christian reft of his dread cumbrance, breathes 
New liberty, new life; nor scarce can deem 
The blest reverse substantial: till, again 
As on the bleeding Cross intense he gazed, 
The dizzy torrent of tumultuous joy 
Sunk to a holy calm, — Full well he knew 
To read that sacred symbol ; and, of Him, 



ing expedient for saying the lost 3 the honour of the divine law 
and government, and the evil and desert of sin most energetically 
proclaimed, even in pardoning transgressors and reconciling ene- 
mies 5 and the perfect freentss and sufficiency of this salvation ; — 
then " his conscience is purged from dead works to serve the 
" living God", by a simple reliance on the atoning blood of Em- 
manuel. This deliverance from the burden of guilt is in some 



84 
The Victim there once oiTer'd, thus brake forth. — 

6 His bitter ivoes have bought my peace, 

6 His painful toils my rest ; 
6 His death my life when time shall cease f 

6 On high among the blest. 9 

Thus sang the Pilgrim; and again revolved 
In hallow'd silence his mysterious change 

At sight of that dear Cross. There, still he 

gazed, 
Till from hb eyes a mingled flood roll'd down 



respects final, as to the well-instructed arid consistent believer : 
his former sins are buried, no more to be his terror and distress. 



85 

Of blissful wonder, gratitude, and love : l 

When lo! three Shining Ones all heav'nly bright, 

Breathing ethereal fragrance, tended him, 

And bade him 'Peace!' — Then, with a beamy 

smile 
That sunn'd the soul, the first, their godlike prince, 
Imperative announced his sins forgiv'n : 2 
Another, for his abject weeds supplied 
Celestial change of raiment; 3 whilst the third, 
A sacred token on his forehead press'd 
Indelible: and, with deeply-solemn charge, 
Presented a seal'd Roll, 4 thenceforth ordain'd 
His solace, and at the celestial Gate 
His heav'n-appointed passport. Thus fulfilPd 
Their faithful embassage, on viewless wing 

1 Zech. xii. 10. 2 Mark ii. 5. 3 Zech. iii. 4. 4 Eph. i. 13. 



86 

They vanished: while with merry heart, light step, 
And grateful song, Christian pursued his way.* 



* Christian's tears, amidst his gladness, intimate, that deli- 
verance from guilt, by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, 
tends to increase sorrow for sin, and abhorrence of it ; though 
it mingles even those affections with a sweet and solid plea- 
sure. — By the 6 three shining ones' the author alludes to the mi- 
nistration of angels, as in some way subservient to the comfort 
of the heirs of salvation. — The mark in the forehead evidently 
signifies the renewal of the soul to holiness 5 while the roll with 
the seal upon it, denotes such an assurance of acceptance, as ap- 
pears most clear and satisfactory, when the believer most atten- 
tively compares himself with the holy Scriptures. — It could not 
possibly be intended to ascribe these effects to any other agent 
than the Holy Spirit, for he alone as the Spirit of adoption en- 
ables a man to exercise in a lively manner all filial affections 
towards God $ and thus bears witness with his conscience, that 
his sins are pardoned, that he is justified by faith in the righteous- 
ness of Emmanuel, a child of God, and an heir of heaven. 



®2)rf*tiam'0 conflict with ^pollgott, 
in the Valley of ^ttlttilfatiOtt* 



************ 



-His anxious eye 



The shadowy vale's dim vista keenly ranged ; 
When, fierce as sulph'rous flame from the black 
south, 

They who have experienced this happy change, will readily un- 
derstand the language in which it is described 5 and the abiding 
effects of their joy in the Lord, upon their temper and conduct, 



88 

Burst thro' the gloom a foul-distorted fiend, — 
Apollyon, prince of hell ! — The grisly Pest 
Came tow'ring on : — Aback the Pilgrim shrunk 
Half resolute for flight : — but, arni'd alone 
To breast and brave the foe — (fenceless behind) — 
To fly were instant fate! — That thought new 

manned him, — 
Firm as the rooted flint that chafed his foot, 



(like the impression of the seal after the wax is cooled,) com- 
pletely distinguish it from the confidence and comfort of hypo- 
crites and enthusiasts. It must, however, continue to be " the 
u secret of the Lord, with them that fear him j w u hidden manna," 
and u a white stone, having in it a new name written, which no 
" man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." l 

1 Psa. xxv. 14. 



89 

TV intrepid Champion stood. — His sword, high 

poised, 
Flash'd like an angry meteor: — His broad shield, 
Heav'n-wrought,and embleufd with a radiant Cross, 
Potent he grasp'd, and the proud demon dared.* 

Now, front to front awhile, in hostile pause, 
Like two mute thunder-clouds they frown'd ! — 
Aloft, 



* Evil spirits seem to have peculiar access to the imagination, 
and are able to paint before that illusive faculty the most alluring 
or terrifying representations, as if they were realities. — Apol- 
LYON signifies the destroyer : x and in carrying on the work of 
destruction, fallen angels endeavour, by various devices, to deter 
men from prayer, and to render them afraid of those things with- 

1 Rev. ix. 11. 
M 



90 

Brooding infernal vengeance, the grim fiend 
Rear'd his embattled bulk, with scaly brass 
Fenced fearfully. — A dragon's talon'd wings 
Coped his huge shoulders like a sable shield :- 
His quiver like a raging furnace blazed ; 
Surcharged with fiery darts new-forged in hell: 
Each shaggy limb a bear's keen terrors arm'd: 



out which the life of faith cannot be maintained ; in order that, 
after convictions, they may be led to give up religion, as the only 
method of recovering their composure. Many, " having no root 
<c in themselves," thus gradually fall away 3 and others are greatly 
retarded : but the well-instructed believer sees no safety except 
in facing his enemy. If it appear dangerous to persevere, to de- 
sist is inevitable ruin, (for Christian had no armour for his 
back.) So that fear itself will in that case induce a man to stand 
his ground 5 and the more resolutely he resists temptation, the 
sooner will he regain his tranquillity 5 for, when the suggestions 



91 

While, jagg'd with a gaunt lion's hungry fangs, 
His hideous jaws, wide-yawning, foam'd for prey. — 
So stood the wary combatants ; when thus 
The monster-demon with disdainful brow, 
And burst of torrent rage, fierce parle began. 

' Whence and what art thou? What malignant 
* chance 
* Hath cast thee here, and whither dost thou roam?' 



of Satan excite us to pray more fervently, and to be more di- 
ligent in every duty, that enemy will soon " flee from us." 
Perhaps some may remember a time when they were harassed 
to that degree as almost to despair of relief 5 who have since been 
so entirely delivered, that, were it not for the recollection of their 
own past experience, they would be ready to ascribe these dis- 
tresses to disease or enthusiasm, notwithstanding all that the 
Scripture contains on the subject. 



92 

Chr. I come from that detested sink of sin, 
The City of Destruction; and here pass 
A Pilgrim to Mount Zion. 

Apol. Thine own lips, 

Ev'n to the very proof attest thee mine, 
And brand thee traitor to my cause. — Yea, there, 
In that wide bound'ry thou hast madly broke, 
I reign, sole God and King. — And but I look 
For service to atone thy base revolt, 
Ev'n now this lifted arm with one dread stroke 
Had felPd thee to the ground. 

Chr. True — O most true, 

In thy dominions 'twas my bitter fate 
My natal breath to draw : But soon I shared 



93 

Gross bondage, niggard fare, and starveling hire ; 
Forewarned the while that " sin's sure dole is 

" death." 1 — 
Thus abject, and now grown to manly prime, 
I sought blest riddance from thy galling yoke. — 

Apol. Where's the duped Sovereign that would 
lightly lose 
His lawful vassals? — No such dupe am J. — 
But since, forsooth, scant wages are thy plaint, 
(The rebel's idle plea) now, now return 
My duteous charge; and, trust me, thou shalt 

share 
In full content, a princely-liberal boon. 

1 Rom. vi. 23. 



94 

Chr. Return I dare not : — The great King of 
Kings 
Hath bought me for his own, — 

Apol. The proverb's taunt, 

" From bad to worse /" such folly well derides.— 
Yet many a slave (best taught by bitter proof,) 
Hath brook'd awhile his service, and, anon, 
Spurn'd his tyrannic sway. — Be thou thus wise, 
And all shall yet be well. 

Chr. But I am His, 

By sworn allegiance, and eternal right: 
How then shall I contract such foul default, 
Nor meet the traitor's doom? 



95 

Apol. Thy faith to me 

First sworn, first due, perfidious thou hast broke : 
Yet of my princely clemency / spare 
Thy forfeit life, so thou return to me. — 

Chr. What then I pledged, my nonage may 
excuse : 
Yea, the great King beneath whose banner here 
I stand enrolPd, will pardon and absolve 
My traitor-league to thee: — But, more than all, 
Remorseless Ravager ! tho' Hell withstand, 
His service, wages, subjects, I prefer — 
His governance, society, domain, 
Beyond compare, to thine ; — Know then, thy lures 
Thou spread'st in vain : — His loyal Bond am I, 
Him, Him alone to serve. 



96 

Apol. Nay, ponder well 

In cool-collected thought thy rash resolve, 
Or e'er this headlong torrent of thy blood 
Dash thee to ruin ! — What ! need'st thou yet be 

taught 
How this loved Prince to bonds and death consigns 
His slaves usurp'd from me? Whence then this 

fond 
This scornful preference of his yoke to minel 
— Think yet again — When stoop'd he from his 

throne 
To save one friend from my contested pow'r 
Still held in poise with his? — Not thus I leave 
My faithful subjects when enslaved by him: 
Yea, many a time, by stratagem or force 
I've won them back ; and fain would rescue thee. 



97 

Chr, Thy sland'rous spleen my gracious Lord 
belies: — 
If yet complete deliv'rance he forbear, 
'Tis wise delay — his servants' love to prove, 
And fealty, to the end. — And, for the close, 
The fatal close of this their firm career, 
Death in His qause is triumph ; and, ere long, 
When comes their Prince with his angelic host 
To gather his elect, the Martyr's Cross 
Shall then exalt them to the fadeless Crown 
Of Everlasting Glory !* 



* As all have been overcome by the temptations of the devil ; 
and M of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought 
11 into bondage:" so, by usurpation, he is become the god and 
prince of this world, and we have all been his slaves. But be- 
lievers, having been redeemed by the blood of Christ, are " made 

N 



98 

Apol. Look'st thou, indeed, 

For such reward ? Thou ! who so oft hast swerved 
Apostate ev'n from Him ? 

Chr. Say — when — wherein, 

O base Apollyon? 

Apol. Hast thou then forgot? — 

Didst thou not faint and murmur 5 mid the gulph 



a free from sin and become the servants of God :" and the 
abiding conviction, that all the subjects of sin and Satan must 
perish, concurs with their experience that it is a hard bondage, 
in fortifying them against every temptation to return. Sensible 
of their obligations to God as their Creator and Governor, they 
have deeply repented of past rebellions 5 and, having obtained 
mercy, feel themselves bound by gratitude and the most solemn 



99 

Of black Despond ? Didst thou not groan, and 

chafe, 
And pine, rebellious, 'neath thy penal load, 
Then, lawless seek release, tho* charged to wait 
Deliverance from thy Lord? Didst thou not lose, 
Deep-slumb'ring on the watch, thy sacred Roll ? — 
—Yea, the grim lions, tho' controuPd and chain'd, 



engagements to cleave to him and his service. Their difficulties 
and discouragements cannot induce them to believe that they 
have changed i from bad to worse 5' nor will they be influenced 
by the numbers who apostatize, from love to the world and dread 
of the cross : for they are u rooted and grounded in love," and not 
merely moved by fears and hopes. They are sure that the Lord 
is able to deliver them from their enemies : and, should the 
wicked be permitted to prosper in their malicious devices against 
them, they know enough of his plan, to rely on his wisdom, truth, 
and love, in the midst of sufferings. Thus they have answers 
ready for every suggestion, 

- 



100 

Palsied each nerve, and well nigh scared thee back 
To coward flight ! Yet when thy tongue sounds 

forth 
Each wild adventure, (thy perpetual theme ;) 
Thy heart, vain-glorious, bloats with high conceit, 
And secret self-applause ! 

Chr. Alas ! thy taunt 

Spares half my guilt : yet my forgiving Lord 
Forbears me still : — But mark ! — these ills I trace 
To thee — all, all to thee. — With my first breath 
Of thy polluted clime, I suck'd them in: — 
My torment noiv, and by my Prince forgiv'n.* 



* If the suggestions before described be rejected, Satan will 
perhaps assault the believer, by representing to his mind, with 



101 

Apol. Thy Prince I hate : — his subjects, man- 
dates, laws : — 
Therefore I here withstand thee, 

Chr. Dar'st thou, proud Fiend ! 

Such desp'rate outrage on the King's highway, — 
The way of holiness? — Avaunt! or learn 
His wrath, too late, to dread. — 



every possible aggravation, the several instances of his miscon- 
duct siuce he professed the gospel; in order to heighten his 
apprehensions of being found at last a hypocrite: for when the 
soul is discouraged and gloomy, he will be as assiduous in re- 
presenting every false step to be a horrid crime inconsistent with 
the hope of salvation ; as he is at other times in persuading men, 
that the most flagrant violations of the divine law are mere 
trifles. — In repelling such suggestions, the well-instructed be- 
liever will neither deny the charge, nor extenuate his guilt : but 



102 

As when, abrupt, 
Some fiery-cavem'd mountain's wrath, long pent, 
Breaks into tenfold rage; with clamouring shock 
Convulsing heav'n and earth ; So raged the Pest. — 
At one gigantic stride, his brazen bulk, 
Rear'd like a huge volcano, barr'd the pass. — 
His foamy jaws, with many a thund'ring curse, 
Bolted fierce flame : — With deadlier fury glared 
His baleful eye : While all around him, glow'd 
A torrid atmosphere, of potent bane 
To wither up the spirit.- 



he will flee for refuge to the free grace of the gospel, and take 
comfort from the consciousness that he now hates and groans 
under the remains of those evils, which once he wholly lived in 
without remorse 3 thence inferring, that " his sins, though many, 
" are forgiven." 



103 

6 Prat'st thou to me/ 
Raved then the monster-fiend, ' of dastard fear ? — 
* Thine rather, traitor ! be the dread : — This hour 
6 Thou diest ; — for, by th' infernal den I swear, 
6 Here will I spill thy soul/ 

Prompt at the word, 
A flaming shaft full at the pilgrim's front 
He launch'd.—Harmless against th' effulgent shield 
It flash'd — it fell. — Alert, his ready sword 
That thirsted vengeful for the coming foe, 
Christian with iron grasp brandished aloft, 
Defiant. — With dire yell the demon closed 
Firm foot to foot ; and one tremendous storm 
Of fiery-fated darts, like vollied hail, 
Drove deadlydown!~Then,first,thePiIgrim reeFd:-- 



104 > 

His head, hand, foot, full many a barb had stung 
To raging agony ! — The wary foe 
Following amain the doubtful strife, rush'd on : 
While Christian, valorous, many a long long hour 
Warded each furious charge: till, faint— half spent — 
Deep sighs and groans gave sign of drear dismay, 
And pale-departing courage blanch'd his brow.* 



* The preceding part of Christian's contest with Apol- 
LYON is instructive to every experienced believer 5 but this is far 
more difficult: yet if we duly reflect upon the Lord's permis- 
sion to Satan, in respect of Job, with the efforts and effects that 
followed, and compare it with the tempter's desire of sifting 
Peter and the apostles as wheat 3 we shall not be greatly at a 
loss about the author's meaning. This enemy is sometimes gra- 
tified by an arrangement of outward dispensations exactly suited 
to favour his assaults : so that the believer's path seems wholly 
obstructed. The Lord himself appears to have forsaken him. 



105 

The wily fiend seizing the welcome chance, 
(Void his red quiver, and his shafts all quench'd,) 
Bore down precipitous, like a falling mount, 
Full on his well-tried foe. The horrid shock 
Crush'd him to earth : and, from his faithless grasp 
Dash'd his life's guardian— his dishonour' d swords- 
Grappling he fell. With savage joy the Pest 



or even to fight against him 3 and his appointments are thought 
contrary to his promises ! This gives Satan an opportunity of 
suggesting hard thoughts of God and his ways, doubts about 
the truth of the Scriptures, and desponding fears of a fatal event. 

Many such " fiery darts" may be repelled and quenched by the 

1 

shield of faith : but there are seasons (as some of us well know,) 
when they are poured in so incessautly, and receive such plausi- 
bility from facts ; and when they so interrupt a man while pray- 
ing, reading, or meditating, that he is tempted to intermit reli- 
gious duties, that he may avoid these most distressing attendants 

O 



106 

(As the pounced Vulture fangs the wounded fawn) 
Clutch'd his prone victim, and his arm high poised 
For one last deadly blow ! That moment flash'd 



on them. The evils of the heart, which seemed before subdued, 
are so excited by means of the imagination, that they apparently 
prevail more than ever 5 rendering every service an abomination, 
as well as a burden 3 so that the harassed soul, alarmed, baffled, 
denied, self-detested, and thinking that God and bis servants 
unite in abhorring him, is ready to give up all hope, to doubt all 
his former principles, to seek refuge in some heretical or anti- 
nomian system, or to attempt the dissipating of his melancholy 
gloom, by joining again in the vanities of the world. Thus the 
enemy ' wounds him in his understanding, faith, and conversa- 
c tion', (according to the author's marginal interpretation of his 
meaning :) yet he caunot in this way find relief ; but is inwardly 
constrained, with renewed efforts, to return to the conflict. When 
such temptations however are long continued, resistance will 
gradually become more feeble, and the distressed believer will be 
ready to give up every thing. 



107 

Keen o'er the Pilgrim's thought his sacred Cause! — 
New life, new vigour, nerved him ! Swift he caught 
TV all-conq'ring sword, and, firm, thus charged it 

home. — 
' — Vaunt not against me, O mine enemy; 
* I fall to rise again ! n — Deep at the word 
He dealt a ghastly wound. — Then, first, a smile 
Graced his wan cheek: — The felon fiend gave 

back : — 
Up sprang the Pilgrim, and, with sudden glance 
To heav'n, at this prompt Word the charge re- 

new'd. — 
< In all these straits we more than conq'rors prove 
4 Through Him who lov'd us\ 2 — Fierce the flaming 

steel 

1 Mic. viii. 8. 2 Rom. viii. 37 — 39. Jam. iv. 7. 



108 

Drove on the foe, and drank his heart's black gore. 
He gnash'd, he foam'd: — In mad contortions writhed 
His scaly bulk : — Pale glared his haggard eye : 
While pride, rage, pain,wrung forth one bitter groan, 
Rebellowing through the Vale. — Then, all astound 
With foul defeat, his dragon wings he spread, 
And hied him back to hell.* 



* If the believer in his further conflict with Satan, should 
be plied closely with infidel suggestions, he may be thrown 
down, and " his sword fly out of his hand." so that for a 
time he may be unable to give any credit to the truth of Scrip- 
ture, (which is called " the sword of the Spirit,") by which alone 
he was before enabled to repel the tempter. This is a dreadful 
case : but the Advocate above a prays" for his disciples " that 
" their faith should not fail :" 1 so that, though Peter fell with 
Judas, he was not left to perish with him. The christian, there- 
1 Luke xxii. 31, 32. 



dfaitftful relates to G^rtetiatt 

his escape from $2JfUttOtt, 

and atfam ifie dFir&t. 



Chr. Return thee now 

To thine own chequer'd history: — full fraught 
I ween with peril, or 'twere justly writ 
A solitary wonder. 



fore, though ' almost pressed to death/ and ready * to despair of 
' life,' will, by the special grace of God, be helped again to seize 
his sword, and to use it with more effect than ever. The Holy 
Spirit will bring to his mind, with the most convincing energy, 



110 

Fatth. Thou hast deem'd 

Most true. — I 'scaped, indeed, the dismal Slough, 
(Thy prime mischance,) but, ere I reach'd the Gate, 



the evidences of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and en- 
able him to rely on the promises: and thus at length the enemy 
will be put to flight, by testimonies of holy writ pertinently ad- 
duced, and more clearly understood than before. — Experience will 
teach some readers to understand these things, and they will know 
how to compassionate and make allowances for the mistakes of 
the tempted : and others, who have been graciously exempted 
from perhaps the deepest anguish known on earth, (though, com- 
monly not of long duration,) should learn from the testimony of 
their brethren, to allow the reality of these distresses, and sym- 
pathize with the sufferers ; and not (like Job's friends) to join 
with Satan in aggravating their sorrows. — They who in ordi- 
nary cases are satisfied with general convictions and comfortable 
feelings, without being able to give a reason for their hope, may 
be driven to the most tremendous extremities, should God permit 
them to be thus assaulted : for they have no fixed principles to 



Ill 

On my lone path an artful Syren stole — 
Wanton her name — and, with bewitching' smile 
And honied eloquence, hail'd me. The bright bloom 
That mask'd her cheek, vied with the virgin rose : 
Her winning glances, with sweet vernal beams: 
Her sighs doled forth, bland as the innocent breeze 
That waved her floating tresses. — Soft she chid, 
In flattVing sympathy, my cheerless toil, 
And, pointing a deep grove, with smooth caress 



which they may resort in such an emergency 5 and perhaps some 
degree of mistake always gives Satan his principal advantage on 
these occasions. Yet men of the most sober mind and sound 
judgment, when in a better state of bodily health than usual, and 
in all other respects most rational, have experienced such dis- 
tressing temptations of this kind, as ihey could scarcely have be- 
lieved on the report of others 5 and, when delivered, they cannot 
look back on the past without the greatest coustcrnation. 



112 

And pledge of sweet content her guile she plied ; 
But prompt and stern I shunn'd her. — 

Chr. Joy to thee ; 

All joy, my friend, to thee ; all thanks to heav'n ! — 
Like Joseph's thine the peril and escape. 1 

Faith. Nay, pure escape I boast not. — 

Chr. What ! wast thou snared 

By her accurs'd deceit ? 

Faith. To no base deed ; — 

That warning word — " Her steps take hold on hell/' 2 
Withstood me: — but my heart, my treach'rous heart, 
1 Gen.xxxix. 11— 13. * Prov. v, 5. Jobxxxi. 1. 



113 

The quick contagion of her glance had pierced, — 
I took th' alarm ; and, with averted eye, 
And firm disdain, repulsed her. — Then, O then, 
JBrakeforth the latent demon. — That smooth tongue 
Peal'd torrent curses, and vindictive rage, 
And lewd and loathsome ribaldry ; nor ceased, 
Till voice and venom fail'd.* 

Chr. O blest escape ! — 

In her deep ditch th' abhorred of the Lord 
Alone shall perish. 1 But what next befel ? 

1 Prov. xxii. 14. 



* Some men are preserved from desponding fears, by receiving 
more distinct views of the truths of the gospel, and thus they 
proceed with less hesitation and interruption, in seeking to 

P 



114 

Faith. Just as the verge I press'd of that wild 
steep, 
The Mount of Difficulty ; wreck'd with age, 
A venerable Form saluted me. — 
With strict and garrulous inquest, first he learn'd 
My name, my drift, my destiny : then, smiled 
Benign, and profFer'd me secure abode 
Beneath his roof, with ever-new delights 



Christ for salvation : yet, perhaps, their temperature, turn of 
mind, habits of life, and peculiar situation, render them more ac- 
cessible to temptations of another sort 5 and they are more in 
danger from the fascinations of fleshly lusts. Thus in different 
ways the Lord makes his people sensible of their depravity, weak- 
ness, and exposed situation 3 while he so moderates the tempta- 
tion, or interposes for their deliverance, that they are preserved, 
and taught to ascribe all the glory to his name. 



115 

For my select employ, and dainty cheer, 
And final heirship to his wide domains.— 
Earnest I craved my benefactor's name, 
His fair abode, his household ? — ' Lo ! my Son,' 
(Falter'd the hoary Sage,) < before thee stands 

* Adam the First : — In famed Deceit I dwell : 
1 My very menials boast descent from me : 

1 While three prime daughters, Libertine Desire, 

* Eye-lust, and Pride of Life, 1 crown all my joys, 
4 And shall be freely thine.' 

Chr. But say — how closed 

This golden prospect ? 

Faith. First, the dazzling bait 

» Uohnii. 16. 



.116 

Half won me ; till, all wistful as I mused, 
Sudden, as by some radiant finger traced, 
On his deep forehead blush' d this timely charge — 
" Put off the 5 Old Man, with his deceitful lusts." 1 
Keen as the glance of lightning, on my soul 
Flash'd full disclosure of his curs'd design :— 
Slav'ry my abject doom! — Abrupt I spurn'd 
The snaky sycophant. With furious scowl 
He flouted me askance ; and rail'd, and foam'd, 
And swore my further pilgrimage to plague 
With some relentless foe : then, as I turn'd 
Indignant, to depart, savage he sprang 
And pluck'd me back : — So deadly was the shock, 
All rack'd and dislocate, yea, asunder torn, 

i Eph, iv. 22. 



117 

Seem'd ev'ry joint! — In raging agony 

I writhed, I groan'd aloud, " wretched man !"* 

And burst from his vile grasp. * 



* Those christians; who by strong faith or assured hope, en- 
dure hardships more cheerfully than their brethren, may some- 
times be exposed to greater danger from the allurements of out- 
ward objects. Deep humiliation and great anxiety about the 
event, in many instances, tend to repress the lusts of the heart, 
by supplying a continual succession of other thoughts and cares : 
whilst constant encouragement, readily attained, too often leaves 
a man to experience them more forcibly. Nay, the same persons, 
who under pressing solicitude seem to be entirely delivered from 
some peculiar corruptions, find them revive and become very im- 
portunate when they have obtained more confidence about their 
salvation. The Old Adam, the corrupt nature, proves a constant 
snare to many believers, by its thirsting after the pleasures, riches, 
honours, and pride of the world : nor can the victory be secured 
without great difficulty and trouble, and strong faith and fervent 
prayer. 



&&itf)fuV&Jirst discourse with Calftatibt** 



********** 



-Such high theme 



Pursuing, Faithful spied, in lonely mood 
A ruddy Pilgrim, (Talkative his name,) 
And thus saluted him. — ' Whither away? — 
* If ours thy destined course, freely partake 
' Our company. 9 — 



* The character here introduced, under a most expressive 
name, is an admirable portrait, drawn by a masterly hand from 



120 

Talk. Most willingly : — In hope 

Of better chance, I tow'rd the heavenly land 
Thus far have sped unsocial ; and I joy 
Your kindly-tender'd intercourse to share. 

Faith. The like to thee : — and be our chosen 
theme 
What best becomes our sacred destiny. 



some striking original, but exactly resembling numbers in every 
age and place, where the truths of the gospel are generally known. — 
Talkative is not so called merely from his loquacity ; but also 
from the peculiarity of his religious profession, which gives scope 
to his natural propensity, by furnishing him with a copious sub- 
ject, and enabling him to display his talents, or seek credit among 
pious persons, without the trouble and expense of practical god- 
liness. Such vain-talkers especially appear when religious pro- 
fession is safe, and reputable, and even in many cases conducive 



121 

Talk. Well turn'd, my friend: — To talk on 
themes divine 
Is ever my delight; — too rare, indeed, 
Such lofty scope in these degenerate days, 
But thence to me more grateful* 

Faith. Thy just plaint 

I zealously accord : — for, what more sweet 
In earthly converse, than to raise the soul 
Anticipant of heav'n ? 



to secular advantage. They may, therefore, be expected in our 
age and nation, particularly in populous places, where the preach- 
ing: or profession of any doctrine excites little attention or sur- 
prise, but ensures regard and favour from a numerous body who 
hold the same opinions. 

Q 



122 

Talk. Well said : — well said : — 

Such heav nly talk is sweetly profitable, 
And profitably sweet. — Is any charm 
In things historic, mystic, lofty, deep ? 
Do wonders, tokens, miracles, delight? 
Whence shall the tongue such varied store provide 
As from the Sacred Records ? 

Faith. True — but see 

Thou reap not husks for fruit : — Profit alone 
Should be our drift. 

Talk. My echo, friend, again !— 

5 Tis that same point i* press. — Such prime dis- 
course 
Grows to sound knowledge;— knowledge general, 



123 

Of the stark vanity of earthly things, 
The sov'reign excellence of things above : — 
And knowledge special, of man's total need 
Of new and heav'nly birth : — the nothingness 
Of Works, till stampt with Righteousness Divine : — 
The nature of true penitence, faith, prayer : — 
The consolations, promises, (how rich !) 
SealM to the heirs of grace: — Knowledge, in 

brief, 
That nerves to steady valiance for The Truth, 
And makes ev'n folly's self supremely wise. 

Faith. Granted: — but mark — knowledge to 
fruit matured, 
Is heavVs own gift ; nor diligence, nor talk, 
(Celestial aid withheld,) one grace can yield. 



124 

Talk. Nay — trust me, friend, these trite, these 
obvious truths, 
I have not now to learn : — full well I know- 
Man's ev'ry talent is a gift from heav'n : — 
That grace, not works, commends him. — Proof on 

proof, 
Scripture on scripture, endless, I could cite, 
But spare your patience. 

Faith. Say then, what single theme 

Shall fix our conference ? 

Talk. E'en what you will. — 

Alike to me things earthly, things divine ; — 
Moral, or evangelic : — Sacred things, 
Or things profane:— Things past,or things to come: — 



125 

Things foreign, things at home : — Essential things, 
Things circumstantial ; — All alike to me 
That aims our profit. 

Glowing with surprize, 
Apart in Christian's ear Faithful pour'd forth 
A lavish greeting, on their happy chance 
To join that wondrous Youth.* — With modest smile 



* Zealous christians, who are not well established in judgment 
and experience, are often greatly taken with the discourse of per- 
sons, who speak fluently and plausibly on various subjects, with 
a semblance of truth and piety : yet they sometimes feel, as it 
were, a defect in their harangues, which makes them hesitate, 
though they are easily satisfied with specious explanations. — 
Talkative's discourse is copied, with surprising exactness, from 
that of numbers who' learn doctrinally to discuss even experi- 
mental subjects, of which they never felt the energy and efficacy 



126 

The wary Pilgrim heard ; and thus ungloss'd 
The smooth imposture.- — 

1 Truly, my friend, that tongue, 
1 That babbling fount of folly at full play, 

* Charms most, who least have known him : but, 

' to me, 

* Each genuine feature more correctly shows, 
€ Than to his own vain self. 9 



in their own souls. Men of this stamp can take up any point 
in religion with great ease, and speak on it in an ostentatious 
manner: but the humble believer forgets himself, while from 
his heart he expatiates on topicks which he longs to recommend 
to those whom he addresses. Humility and charity, however, 
dispose men to make the best of others, and to distrust them- 
selves : so that, unless connected with proportionable depth of 
judgment and acuteness of discernment, they put them off' their 



127 

Faith. Who, then ? — What knave 

Hath dealt me thus deceitful ? 

Chr. His true name 

Is Talkative ; — ambitious, he would shine 
Our idle town's prime Oracle ! — His father, 



guard, in respect of rain-glorious talkers. It would be conceited 
and uncandid, they think, to suspect a man, who says so many 
good things, with great confidence and zeal $ their dissatisfaction 
with the conversation they suppose was their own fault 5 if they 
disagreed with the speaker, probably they were in an error 5 if 
a doubt arose in their minds about his spirit or motives, it might 
be imputed to their own pride and envy. — Thus they are seduced 
to sanction what they ought to protest against, and to admire 
those whom they should avoid j and that even by means of the 
most amiable dispositions! What follows is peculiarly calcu- 
lated to rectify such mistakes, and to expose the consequences of 
this ill-judged candour. 



128 

High-minded Say-well, vaunts him for a sage : 
But, stript of his fine prate and borrow'd plume, 
He fades a sorry cheat! — Oui*town is wide, 
Or, doubtless, thou hadst known him well. 

Faith. Tis hard 

To think such knavery in such fair disguise, 

Chr. Nay, brother, far more difficult to doubt. — 
No taint of scandal, spleen, or rancorous gall, 
Venoms my tongue : — Believe me, friend, he shews 
Like some gross daub ; most distant, most ap- 
proved: — 
Saint tho' he shine abroad, at home he storms 
A churl, a pest, a devil : — Each meek child 
Smit with a trembling conscience, he disowns : — 



129 

His house, his heart, his converse, spice no more 
Of grace, than of pure balm the desert-blast. 
Ev'n the dumb brute shames this ungodly Brag, 
And better serves his Maker. — His vile tongue 
Chimes to the popular tone, whate'er the theme : — 
Tavern and temple, profligate and pure, 
Boast equal charms for him : — Yea, most he teems 
With gospel tattle > when his maudlin brain 
Reels o'er the thrice-drain'd bowl ! 

Faith. Alas ! how strange, 

How scandalous the cheat ! — 

Chr. Most strange : Yet thus 

Speaks the sure Word of Truth : — " They say, and 
" do not. — 



130 

" But grace divine stands not in word, but power." 1 
— This man is pure religion's foulest blot; 
Its bitterest reproach ; its deadliest foe. — 2 
At this proudstone of stumbling, crowds on crowds 
Have perish'd in their guilt. — Fraud is his trade : 
His sport, the sufferer's plaint : Slander, his food : 
His music, Misery. — Ev'n his prime friends 
Once falFn dependant, curse their easy faith : — 
Wife, children, servants ; — all, in turn, all prove 
His tenderest mercies cruel. 

*********** 

1 Matt, xxiii. 3. 1 Cor. iv. 20. * Rom. ii. 23,24. 



Description of ^attttg=i?atr/ 



************ 

The Pilgrims now in downcast mood 
Paced the gay Town. A savage brood 
With hubbub hoarse, and deaf ning din, 
And gaping wonder wide a-grin, 



* Vanity-Fair, represents the wretched state of things, in 
those populous places especially where true religion is neglected 
and persecuted ; and indeed of " the whole world lying in wicked- 
u ness," as distinguished from the church of redeemed sinners. 
This continues the same (in respect of the general principles, 



132 

The pensive strangers throng'd around. 
Their solemn port and pilgrim vest 
They banter for a standing jest: — 

' Barbarians! bedlams! fools!' 1 resound 
From ev'ry quarter : whilst the tone 
Of Canaan's language, all unknown, 

1 1 Cor. iv. 9, 10. 



conduct, and pursuits of mankind,) through all ages and nations : 
but christians are called to mix more with it, at some times than 
at others : and Satan, the god and prince of it, is permitted to 
excite fierce persecution in some places and on some occasions, 
while at other times he is restrained. Mr. Bunyan, living in 
the country, had frequent opportunities of witnessing those fairs, 
which are held first in one town and then in another 3 and of 
observing the pernicious effects produced on the principles, mo- 
rals, health, and circumstances of young persons especially, by 
thus drawing together a multitude, from motives of interest, dis- 
sipation, and excess. 



133 

Grates on their ears in accents crude ; — 
A babbling jargon gross and rude. 

Thus through the mart with mournful gaze 
They pass, 'midst scenes could only raise 
Disrust, and scorn, and grieved amaze. — 
On either band, for instant trade, 
With tinsel gaudery were displayed 
In sign or substance — Houses, lands ; 
Pensions and bribes for courtly bands ; 

Preferments, titles, sceptres, thrones, 
Countries and kingdoms. There, a-row, 
Seductive trick'd,in sordid show, 
Bawds, panders, harlots, servants, slaves, 

Souls, bodies. — While each scaffold groans 
With silver, gold, and costly stones — 



134 

Yea, all the sickly fancy craves; — 
The bane of fools, the thrift of knaves. 

In a wide area, choak'd with keen 
And constant votaries, might be seen, 
(Quitted of cost,) Games, fooleries, cheats ; 
Deep jugglers at their wizard feats; 
Plays, apes, and rogues in large supply ; 
Rapes, murders, — crimes for ev'ry eye, 
And foul false-swearers of a blood-red dye. 
— Here too, full many a thriving mart 
Each several nation holds apart, 
With vanities in motley pride 
From ev'ry distant clime supplied. 1 

1 Eccks. i. 2, 14. ii. 11, 17. xi. 8. Isa. xl. 17. 



135 

But- chief, proud Rome her tinsel ware 
Vociferous vaunts beyond compare : — 
Her gewgaws, nostrums, mummeries, shrines, 
Her foisted miracles and signs, 

Once prized thro' half the globe : but now, 
Full many a nation, wiser taught 
By sound experience dearly bought, 

Spurns the stale trash for empty show.* 



* Worldly men covet, pursue, grasp at, and contend for, the 
things of time and sense, with eagerness and violence; so that 
their conduct aptly resembles the bustle, selfishness, artifice, dis- 
sipation, riot, and tumult of a large crowded fair. The profits, 
pleasures, honours, possessions, and distinctions of the world, are 
as transient and frivolous as the events of the fair day; with 
which children are delighted, but which every man of sense con- 
temns. Solomon, after a complete experiment, pronounced the 
whole to be " vanity of vanities ;" the veriest vanity imaginable, 



136 

Thus through besotted crowds, and vile 
And ribald scenes, the Pilgrims toil: — 

a complex vanity, an accumulation of cyphers, a lottery consist- 
ing entirely of blanks 3 every earthly object being unsuitable to 
the wants of a rational soul, unsubstantial- unsatisfactory, dis- 
appointing and perishing. — The carnal mind always hankers 
after one trifle or other, and longs c for change of follies, and re- 
' lays of joy;' while objects suited to its feverish thirst are al- 
ways at hand to allure it, deriving their efficacy from continually 

pressing, as it were, on the senses. When our first parents 

were fatally prevailed on to join Satan's apostacy, they a forsook 
" the Fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves broken 
cisterns j" and the idolatry, of seeking happiness from the crea- 
ture instead of the Creator, has been universal among all their 
posterity. No crime has ever been committed on earth, or con- 
ceived in the heart of man, which did not arise from this universal 
apostacy and idolatry; from the excess, to which the insufficiency 
of the object to answer the proposed end, gives risej and from 
the vile passions which the jarring interests or inclinations of 
numberless competitors for honour, ^power, wealth, and pleasure, 



137 

Nor wandVing wish for gilded bane, 
Nor ev'n one curious glance they deign. 
Tempted to traffic, they reply 
4 The Truth — The sacred Truth we buy/ 1 
Still urged, they stop their ears, and sigh, 
And breathe to Heav'n the fervent prayer, 
(With looks that speak their treasure there) 2 
' turn mine eyes from Vanity !' 3 

1 Prov. xxiii. 23. * Matt. vi. 20, 21. Phil. iii. 20, 21. 
3 Psa. cxix. 37. 



cannot fail to excite. As the streams of impiety and vice, which 
flow from this source, are varied, according to men's constitu- 
tions, education, habits, and situations : so different worldly pur- 
suits predominate in divers nations, or stages of civilization.— 

S 



138 

—Bandied abroad from tongue to tongue, 
The solemn Word incessant rung 
Through the base rout, with hideous yell. 
Whilst, madly fraught with rage from hell, 
Riot, and rack, and wild affray, 
Clamour, and clang, triumphant bray 
From frantic myriads high and low ; 
Till signs of instant overthrow 



The merchandize of Rome, which suited a rude and ignorant age, 
has now given place to the more plausible wares of sceptical phi- 
losophers, which are more agreeable to the pride of learning and 
human reasoning. — Even things lawful in themselves, when 
sought, or possessed in a manner which is not consistent with 
«' seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness," 
become allurements of Satan, to draw sinners into his fatal 
snare. 



139 

Menaced the Fair.* — Swift tidings brought 
To their liege lord, with slander fraught, 



* The presence of real christians in those places, where a large 
concourse of worldly men is collected for sinful purposes, must 
produce a disturbance and effervescence : and the smaller the 
number is of those, who by their actions, words, or silence protest 
against vice and impiety, the fiercer the opposition that will be 
excited. — A pious clergyman, on board a vessel, where he was 
a single exception to the general ungodliness that prevailed, gave 
great offence by constantly but silently withdrawing, when oaths 
or unseemly discourse made his situation uneasy ; and he was 
called to account for so assuming a singularity ! — The consistent 
believer is always deemed precise and uncouth, insane or out- 
landish, in the judgment of those who " walk according to the 
a course of this world." His discourse, seasoned with piety, hu- 
mility, and spirituality, so differs from " the filthy conversation 
¥ of the wicked," and the polite simulation of the courtly, that 
they can have no intercourse with him, or he with them : and 
when he speaks of the love of Christ, and the satisfaction of 



140 

He, jealous, with a trusty few, 
Spake order, and the Pilgrims drew 

(Brutely exultant o'er his prey,) 
To stand before a venal crew, 

For the wild uproar of that day. 



communion with him, while they a blaspheme the worthy name 
" by which he is called 5" they must seem barbarians each to 
the other. But above all, the believer's contempt of worldly 
things, when they interfere with the will and glory of God, forms 
such a testimony against all the pursuits and conduct of carnal 
men, who " think it strange that he will not run with them to 
u the same excess of riot," as must excite their greatest astonish- 
ment and indignation. " These men" (it is alleged,) " who turn 
" the world upside down are come hither also 5" u they exceed- 
u ingly trouble the city," town, or village by their uncharitable 
discourse and example ! — Thus Satan takes occasion to excite 
persecution, when he fears lest the servants of God should suc- 
cessfully disseminate their principles : and persecuting princes 



The Captivity of (S^dsftfatt and pipeful 

in Houfctittg^agtle* 



Thus musing, they approachM the shady verge 
Of a pure stream, writ in the Pilgrim's chart 
« /Zwer of Goz>,' and < Of *Ae TFater of Life: 1 

1 Psa. lxv. 9. Ezek. xlvii. Rev. xxii. 1. 



and magistrates, his most trusty friends, are deputed by him to 
molest and punish their peaceable subjects, for conscientiously 
refusing conformity to the world, or for dissenting from doctrines 



142 

On either side, waved in perennial green 

The trees of Paradise : Perennial fruits 

Of vital savour, pended from each bough 

In full nectareous prime : The leaves were balm : 

While the smooth sod beneath, spontaneous teem'd 

With lilied fragrance. — Here their blissful path 



and modes of worship which they deem unscriptural. Thus, the 
most valuable members of the community are banished, im- 
prisoned, or murdered 5 multitudes are tempted to hypocrisy 5 
encouragement is given to time-servers to seek secular advan- 
tages by acting contrary to their consciences 3 the principles of 
sincerity and integrity are generally weakened or destroyed, by 
multiplied prevarications and false professions ; and numerous 
instruments of cruelty and oppression are involved in this com- 
plication of atrocious crimes. In Fox's Martyrs we meet with 

authenticated facts that fully equal this allegorical representa- 
tion : nay, ' The Acts of the Apostles 1 gives us the very same 
view of subject. '*, 



143 

Winded : In silent ecstacy they gaze, 
And drink new vigour at the living flood, 
And feast unsparing on the gen'rous fruits, 
And balmy foliage. Then, to safe repose 
They lay them down ; while soft oblivion steak 
All sense of past affliction, toil, and care. 1 
— Thus, (O too brief!) three happy nights and days 
They linger'd : and full many a grateful song 
To their Good Shepherd raised, who led them forth 
To those fair pastures, and that crystal stream.* 

1 Psa. xxiii. Isa. xiv. 30. 



* The Holy Spirit, the inexhaustible source of life, light, ho- 
liness, and joy, is represented by " the River of God j* even that 
" River of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the 
" throne of God, and of the Lamb." 1 All believers partake of 

1 Rev. xxii, 1. 



144 

Now, with the fourth fair dawn, alert they rose, 
And hasted to depart. Sweet solace cheer'd 
Their outset, till, anon, their destined way 

his sacred influences, which prepare the soul for heavenly felicity, 
and are earnests and pledges of it : hut there are seasons when he 
communicates his holy comforts in larger measure 5 when the 
christian sees such glory in the salvation of Christ ; so clearly 
ascertains his interest in it ; and realizes his obligations and pri- 
vileges, with such lively exercises of adoring love, gratitude, and 
joy, that he is raised above his darkness and difficulties ; enjoys 
sweet communion with God 5 forgets, for the moment, the pain 
of former conflicts and the prospect of future trials; finds his 
in-bred corruptions reduced to a state of subjection, and his 
maladies healed by lively exercises of faith in the divine Saviour - 9 
and anticipates with unspeakable delight the glory that shall be 
revealed. Then communion with humble believers, (the lilies 
that adorn the banks of the river,) is very pleasant; and the 
soul's rest and satisfaction in God and his service are safe, and 
his calm confidence is well grounded ; being widely different from 
every species of carnal security. 



145 

Warp'd from the stream, and, rough with rugged 

clods, 
Chafed each slow footstep, and their souls cast down 
Sudden, to deep despondence. 1 Thus they toil'd, 
1 Faint, yet pursuing,' till meridian day : 
When, to the left, a verdant mead they spied, 
That seem'd a pleasant By-path following close 
The strict highway. — Here, Hopeful, warn'd so 

late, 
Falter'd awhile ; till Christian, self-secure, 
Leap'd the low fence, and fearless led the way** 

1 Numb. xxi. 4. 



* Believers, even when in the path of duty, walking by faith, 
and supported by the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, may be 
abridged of those holy consolations which they have experienced : 

T 



146 

— Joyous they bounded o'er the level green, 
And soon a portly stranger within call, 
(Vain-confidence his name,)confirni'd their choice 
Of that smooth track. Him for their steady guide 
They followed; till, abrupt, the night-gloom fell 
From grey to pitchy dark ; and left them, lorn, 



and Satan may have a special advantage in tempting them to 
discontent and distrust. The path of duty being rough, a by- 
path is discovered which seems to lead the same way : — a devia- 
tion from the exact strictness of the commands of Goi>, which 
mark out the path of holiness and safety, may sometimes be 
plausible, and circumstances may seem to invite to it. Men 
imagine some providential interposition, giving ease to the 
weary; and they think that the precept may be interpreted with 
some latitude, that prudence should be exercised, and that scru- 
pulousness about little things is a mark of legality or supersti- 
tion. Thus by " leaning to their own understandings" and 
" trusting in their own hearts, 1 ' instead of asking counsel of the 



147 

Alarm'd, bewilder'd, friendless, all alone 

To grope their desp'rate course. — Aloud they calPd 

On their false guide ; when, to their startled ear, 

A sudden plunge, and one expiring groan 

As from some neighb'ring pitfall, gave sure sign 

Of his tremendous doom I 1 * — That instant, roar'd 

1 Isa. ix. 16. 



Lord, they hearken to the tempter. Nor is it uncommon for 
christians of deeper experience, and more established reputation, 
to mislead their juniors, by turning aside from the direct line 
of obedience. For the Lord leaves them to themselves, to repress 
their self-confidence, and keep them entirely dependent on him ; 
and thus teaches young converts to follow no man further than 
he follows Christ. 

* This circumstance may represent' the salutary effects, which 
are sometimes produced on offending believers, by the awful 



148 

A threatening thunder-peal:— The night-blastraved: 
Fierce fire,and hail,and torrent flood, drove down: — 
Till, with one hideous crash, the total storm 
Raged in full wrath on their defenceless head; 
While swift around them rose a gather'd sea 
Of whelming waters !* 



death of some vain-glorious hypocrite, to whom they have given 
too much attention. The Lord, however, will in one way or other ■ 
deliver his servants from the temporary prevalence of vain-con- 
fidence; while presumptuous transgressors perish in the pit of 
darkness and despair. 

* The holy law condemns every transgression : when the chris- 
tian, therefore, has fallen into wilful sin, he is often led to fear 
that his faith is dead, that he is still under the law, and that his 
person as well as his conduct is liable to its righteous condemna- 
tion. Thus he is brought back again, as it were, to the tempest, 
thunder, and lightning of mount Sinai. 



149 

i Wretch, wretch that I am !' 
Groan'd Hopeful, 4 Oh that I had kept the 
4 way!' 

4 Alas V said Christian, tremulous, in tone 
Of half-choked utterance ; * What mere human 

' * skill— 
4 What foresight could have warn'd V 

Hope. 'Twas my deep dread 

To venture, when that cautious word I dropt: — 
I had spoke plainer, but thy riper age, 
And tried experience, swayM me. 

Chr. O, my brother, 

Be not offended : — Deeply shamed, I own 



150 

My well-meant error, and with heart-felt grief 
Beseech thy frank forgiveness. 

Hope. Be comforted — 

Frail as thyself, I readily forgive, 
Nor doubt this peril shall be ruled for good. 

Chr. Thy gen'rous friendship cheers me. — But, 
why thus 
Brave we this horrible tempest? — Let us seek 
Our long-deserted way. 

Hope. And let me lead. 

Chr. Nay, brother ; — mine the fault, be mine 
the task 



151 

(Tho* death betide,) to pilot our return. 

Hope. Not so : lest that your troubled mind again 
Mislead your sounder judgment. — * 

Thus resolved, 
He pass'd before : when, midst th' abated storm 
A voice divine thus cheer'd them.- — ' Let thine 
i heart 



* This dialogue is very natural and instructive, and exhibits 
that spirit of mutual tenderness, forbearance, and sympathy, 
which becomes christians in such perplexing circumstances. 
They, who have misled others into sin, should not only ask for- 
giveness of God, but of them also; and they who have been 
drawn aside by the example and persuasion of their brethren, 
should be careful not to upbraid or discourage them, when they 
become sensible of their fault. 



152 

* Be stedfast, till thou reach the long-lost ivay.' 1 
— Hush'd were the raging skies ; but the swoln tide 
Still rose amain, in sullen wave on wave; 
And many a plunge they shared, that menaced them 
With the grim terrors of a wat'ry tomb !* 

1 Jer. xxxi. 21. 



* It might be thought, that an experienced believer, when 
convinced of any sin, would find little difficulty in returning to 
his duty, and recovering his peace. But a deliberate transgres- 
sion, however trivial it might seem at the moment, appears upon 
the retrospect to be an act of most ungrateful and aggravated re- 
bellion; so that it brings such darkness upon the soul, and guilt 
on the conscience, as frequently causes a man to suspect that all 
his religion has been a delusion. And. when he would attempt 
to set out anew, it occurs to him, that if all his past endeavours 
and expectations, for many years, have been frustrated, he can 
entertain little hope of better success hereafter; as he knows 



153 

— Thus deeply wading, they at length descried 
Amid the weltering waste, a gentle mound, 
Safe from the rolling flood. Thither they climb'd, 
And on the well-skreen'd summit sat them down 
To wakeful rest, waiting the dawn ; but sleep 
All-potent, ev'ry languid sense beguiled, 
And held them, listless, till return of day. 



not how to use other means, or greater earnestness, than he has 
already employed as he fears to no purpose. Nor will Satan ever 
fail, in these circumstances, to pour in such suggestions, as may 
overwhelm the soul with an apprehension that the case is hopeless, 
and God inexorable. The believer will not, indeed, be prevailed 
upou by these discouragements wholly to neglect all attempts to 
recover his ground : but he often resembles a man who is groping 
in the dark and cannot find his way ; or who is passing through 
a deep and rapid stream, and struggling hard to keep his head 
above water. 

U 



154 

Hard by, within th' enclosure where they slept, 
Stands Doubting-Castle; strong-hold of De- 
spair. — 
— That monster-fiend on his accustom'd range 
Now prowling forth, spied them; and, with a peal 
Of thundering rage, their heavy slumbers broke: — 
Then, sternly raved * What maddens ye, to dare 
' This lawless trespass on my fenced domain V 

Chr. Unhappy Pilgrims from afar, we pass'd 
Unwitting through these grounds, and lost our way. 

Despair. Villains ! no more: — Your very plea 
proclaims 
The trespass, and provokes my fell revenge. 
So saying, with one giant grasp he seized 



155 

The shuddering captives; and, at headlong speed, 
Drove them before. Thus through a hideous maze 
Of deathlike gloom, the Castle's dreary fence, 
He drove them; till, the huge portcullis pass'd, 
Down rush'd the pond'rous iron, with the din 
Of deaf ning thunder-crash, and earthquake shock: 
Nor paused th* affrighted victims, till, deep thrust 
Within a noisome dungeon, down they sunk 
'Mid the stern terrors of their hopeless fate !* 



* Believers, who have brought themselves, by transgression, 
into great terror and anguish of conscience, often endeavour to 
quiet themselves by general notions of the mercy of God through 
Jesus Christ, and the security of the new covenant; and the 
storm in their consciences subsiding, they find a little shelter, 
and wait for a more convenient opportunity of recovering their 
spiritual life and vigour. But growing more and more heartless 
in religion, and insensible in a most perilous situation, they are 



156 

Thus four dark clays of anguish and remorse, 
Unvisited, unfed, the Pilgrims moan'd. 
— Meanwhile the ruthless Tyrant, with his wife, 
An artful fury, (Diffidence her name,) 
Doom'd them to merciless vengeance. First, he 
dealt 



led habitually to infer that they are hypocrites; that the en- 
couragements of Scripture belong not to them; that prayer 
itself will be of no use to them : and, when they are at length 
brought to reflection, Despair, like a tremendous giant, will 
seize on them, and for a season they will find it impossible to 
rise superior to prevailing gloomy doubts, or to obtain the least 
comfortable hope of deliverance, or encouragement to use the 
proper means of seeking it. — The believer may be brought by 
wilful sin to such a condition that, to his own apprehension, de- 
struction is inevitable, Even a true christian may sink so low as 
to have no light or comfort from the Scriptures and the Holy 
Spirit ; nothing to sustain his almost expiring faith and hope; 



157 

Fierce blows on blows unsparing, till he left 
His wretched thralls half dead.- — Next morn, (ad- 
vised 
By his grim Consort,) he, with savage vaunt 
Of stern compassion, urged them to resolve 
Precipitate self-murder! — The base thought 
They spurn'd abhorrent; and, with dolorous cries, 



no help or pity from his brethren, but severe censures or more 
painful suspicions; the horrors of an accusing conscience, the 
dread of God as an enemy, connected with sharp and multiplied 
corrections in his outward circumstances 5 and all this as the 
price of ease or indulgence obtained by some wilful transgression ! 
Now who that really believes this, will take encouragement to 
sin from the doctrine of final perseverance? Would a man, for 
a trivial gain, leap down a precipice, even if he could be sure 
that he should escape with his life ? No, the dread of the anguish 
of broken bones, and of being made a cripple to the end of his 
days, would effectually secure him from such a madness. 



158 

Craved their full freedom.—Roused to frenzied rage, 
Forward he rush'd, and, at one deadly blow 
Had fell'd them, breathless; but a sudden cramp 
Palsied his arm, and baffled his dire aim. — 

As when the gaunt Hyena, couch'd for blood # 
Stuug by a venom'd shaft his victim yields 
With many a frantic yell ; so raved the Pest, 
As from his destined prey writhing he reel'd 
In helpless anguish. — Respite thus obtained, 
Small joy was theirs : the momentary dread 
Of surer vengeance, or a lingering fate 
In that foul den, still haunted them, and wrung 
From Christian this curst thought, so late abhorr'd. 

' Brother, our desp'rate fate from day to day 



159 

4 More hopeless lours ! In misery's extreme 

* Slow pining-, my desponding soul would count 

* Ev'n strangling a blest refuge from this thrall : l 

* Say — shall the Tyrant's tender be our choice?'* 

1 Our hideous doom,' sigh'd Hopeful, ' ne'er re- 
4 versed, 

* Death were our friend indeed : but Heav'n's high 

6 Law 
4 Proclaims " Do thou no murder" Shall we, then, 

1 Job vii. 15. 



* Desponding fears, when they so prevail as to keep men from 
prayer, make way for temptations to suicide, as the only relief 
from misery : but when there is any true faith, however it may 
•eem wholly out of exercise, the temptation will be eventually 



160 

* Wreak on ourselves that execrable deed 

4 We dare not on another 1 — Who thus ends 
' His fellow, murders but the mortal part: 
4 Who slays himself, destroys both body and soul ! 
4 And, for thy hope of ease in the still grave, 

* Hast thou forgot the hell beyond, that waits 
4 The victim of self-murder? — Think again; 

* All law is not our Tyrant's : Many a drear 

4 And desp'rate captive hath escaped these walls ; 
4 And cannot He who made the world, ordain 
4 The monster's speedy death ? or, that he miss 



overcome, provided actual insanity do not intervene ; and this is 
a very uncommon case among religious people, whatever slanders 
their enemies may circulate, in order to prej udice men's minds 
against the truth. 



161 

' To bar our hideous hold ? or, seized again 

* With palsied impotence, torment no more, 

* Or fall our easy prey ? — Then cheer thee, brother ! 
' Patience and hope are ours: the rest is Heav'rCs? 

Such kindly counsel buoy'd awhile — scarce 

buoy'd 
His hapless friend, half wreck'd : But the wild 

wave 
Still whelm'd him, and again the felon deed 
Familiar to his thought, poignant he press'd ; 
Whilst Hopeful thus his steady plea renewed. 

4 My brother, must I mourn all solace vain? 
* Where is thy wonted valour? — That fierce fiend, 

' Apollyon, could not crush thee, nor the host 

x 



162 

6 Of terrors that beset thy ev'ry step 
4 Through Death's darkVALE:— Nor could the cage, 
< the chain, 

* With Faithful shared, nor ev'n his fiery doom, 

* Daunt thy firm soul; and art thou now all fear? — 
' Am not /weak, yea, feebler far than thou? 

' Deals not the Tyrant equal dole to me, 
i Famine 9 and wounds^and darkness? — Courage 
* then, 

* My honour'd Brother ! Let us play the man ; 

6 Nor scandalize our Cause by one base deed\* 



* Hopeful's arguments against self-murder are conclusive : 
doubtless men in general venture on that awful crime, either 
disbelieving or forgetting the doctrine of Scripture concerning 
a future and eternal state of retribution. — It is greatly to be 



163 

Scarce had he spoke, when the gigantic stride 
Of their dread foe appalPd them, — Fierce he seized 
And dragg'd them forth without the Castle-wall, 
'Mid skulls, and bones, and skeletons half bare, 
(Once warm with hopeful enterprise and zeal,) 
High piled or scattered round. — ' Behold!' ex- 
claim'd 



wished, that all serious persons would avoid speaking of self- 
murderers, as having put an end to their existence ; which cer- 
tainly tends to mislead the mind of the tempted, into very erro- 
neous apprehensions on this most important subject. — This dis- 
course aptly represents the fluctuation of men's minds under 
great despondency \ their struggles against despair, with purposes 
at some future opportunity to seek deliverance : their present 
irresolution; and the way in which feeble hopes, and strong fears 
of future wrath, keep them from yielding to the suggestions of 
the enemy. — Serious recollection of past conflicts, dangers, and 



164 

Th' exulting Ravager ; — ' See my fell revenge 
' For lawless trespass! — Pilgrims, once, were these : 
* And, ere to-morrow's dawn, I swear to hurl 
' Your felon bones with theirs. — Back to your 

■ den!'— 
— Instant his pond'rous mace followed the word, 
And drove them, staggering, down to their deep 

hold. 
There, yielding all for lost, abject they sunk 
In speechless horror; till the midnight toll 



deliverances, is peculiarly useful to encourage confidence in the 
power and mercy of God, and patient waiting for him in the 
most difficult and perilous situations : and conference with our 
brethren, even if they too are under similar trials, is a very im- 
portant mean of resisting the devil, when he would tempt us to 
renounce our hope, and have recourse to desperate measures. 



165 

Of their last hour, roused them to passionate prayer.* 
— As thus they wrestled, Christian into strains 
Ecstatic brake : and, from his bosom pluck'd 
The key of Promise, 'midst his cares and woes 
Unthought till that bright moment. 

* Brother, we live! — 
6 This key, heav'n's special boon, till now forgot, 
* Is our sure ransom P — 

Wing'd with hope, they sprang 
Tothe blest proof: — The jealous bolt gave back! — 



* Nothing will be effectual for the recovering of the fallen, 
till they begin to pray with fervency, importunity, and perseve- 
rance. Yet such is our nature and situation, that in proportion 
as we have special need for earnestness in these devout exercises, 



166 

Next, the huge bar that wards the Castle-court, 
Sullen recoil'd. — Thence, to the last grim keep 
They rush'd. — Each stubborn spring won with 

slow toil, 
Harsh on corroded hinges creak'd and groan 'd 
The pond'rous portal. — Instant from his lair 
Sprang the roused Monster: but each treacherous 

limb 

our hearts are averse to them. The child while obedient, anti- 
cipates the pleasure of meeting his affectionate parent 5 but, 
when conscious of having offended, he from shame, fear, and 
pride, hides himself and keeps at a distance. But when stout- 
ness of spirit is broken down, and a contrite believing frame of 
mind succeeds; the offender begins to cry fervently to God for 
mercy, with humiliating confessions, renewed application to the 
blood of Christ, and perseverance amidst delays and discourage- 
ments: and then it will not be very long ere he obtain complete 
deliverance. 



167 

Smit with a rigid palsy, mock'd his rage ; 
Whilst the blithe Pilgrims found them once again 
Safe on the King's highway ! — Spontaneous praise 
Burst from each heart. — With gen'rous zeal they 

rear'd 
Beside the fatal fence a warning stone, 
And hasted, joyous, on their blest careen* 



* The promise of eternal life, to every one without exception 
who believeth in Christ, is especially intended by the Key 3 but 
without excluding any other of the " exceeding great and pre- 
<c cious promises" of the gospel. The believer, being enabled to 
recollect such as peculiarly suit his case, and, conscious of cor- 
dially desiring the promised blessings, has the Key in his bosom, 
which will open any lock in Doubting-Castle : and while he 
pleads the promises in faith, depending on the merits and atone- 
ment of Emmanuel, as " coming to God through him 5" he gra- 
dually resumes his confidence, and begins to wonder at his past 



168 

despondency. Yet remains of unbelief, recollection of his aggra- 
vated guilt, and fear lest he should presume, often render it 
difficult for him entirely to dismiss discouraging doubts. — But 
let it especially be noted that the faith, which delivered the Pil- 
grims from Giant Despair's castle, induced them without delay 
to return to the highway of obedience, and to walk in it with 
more circumspection than before, no more complaining of its 
roughness \ and to devise every method of cautioning others 
against passing over into By-path meadow. 



©DttStiatt'jS second discourse with 

Sfgnoratttt** 



Chr. How now, my friend? How stands the 
grand account 
Between thy soul and heav'n ? 



* In the following dialogue Ignorance speaks exactly in cha- 
racter j and the answers of Christian are conclusive against 
such absurd and unscriptural grounds of confidence, as are con- 
tinually maintained by many who would be thought pious chris- 
tians. 

Y 



170 

Ign. Why — well, I hope : — 

My lonely thought is comfortably stored 
With profitable musings. 

Chr. What are they ? 

Ign. I think on God and heav'n. 

Chr. Fiends and lost souls 

Think much on these. 

Ign. But I desire them too.* 



* The desire of heavenly felicity, when the real nature of it is 
not understood, the proper means of obtaining it are neglected, 
other objects are preferred to it, or sloth and procrastination in- 



171 

Ch-r. So thousands crave, who never shall ob- 
tain : 
The sluggard soul desireth, and hath nothing. 1 

Ion. But I for the fair Prize have left my all. 

1 Prov. xiii. 4. 



tervene, is no proof that a man will be saved. — In like manner 
this expression^ the desire of grace is grace, must be owned to 
be very fallacious and ambiguous. Men may be notionally con- 
vinced that without grace they must perish, and mere selfishness 
may excite some feeble desires after it ; though worldly affections 
predominate, and the real value of the spiritual good is not per- 
ceived. But to hunger and thirst for God and his righteous- 
ness, his favour, image, and service, as the supreme good 5 so 
that no other object can satisfy the earnest desire of the heart, 
and every thing is renounced that interferes with the pursuit of 
it , is grace indeed, and shall be completed in glory . 



172 

Chr. Nay — there I doubt: — Such self-denying 
zeal 
Is hard to brook, tho' easy to conceit. — 
But what persuades thee thus ? 

Ign. My heart assures me. 

Chr. Hear what the wise man saith : — * Who 
" trusts his heart," 
(That deep, that bosom traitor,) " is a fool." 1 

Ign. This holds, I grant ye, of an evil heart, 
But mine is good. 

Chr. By what sound proof? 

1 Pror. xviii. 26. 



173 

Ign. It soothes 

And comforts me in stedfast hope of heav'n. 

Chr. Thy heart may play the traitor. Many 
build 
High comfort on but slender ground of hope.* 

Ign. But mine is solid ground.— My heart and 
life 
In holy proof agree. 

Chr. Who tells thee so? 



* It is exceedingly dangerous to make comfort a ground of 
confidence 5 unless the nature, source, and effects of that comfort 
be considered: for it may result entirely from ignorance and self- 
flattery, in a variety of ways. 



174 
Ign. My heart. 

Chr. How! — dost thou take me for a thief? — 
Thy heart ? — 1 warn thee, if the Word of Truth 
Bear not full witness, other proof is vain. 

Ign. Yet, sure, that heart is good whose thoughts 
are good : 
That life must needs be pure, whose ev'ry act 
Squares with the Rule Divine. 

Chr. Granted — but mark — 

To pride the fancy with these high conceits 
Proves not possession. 

Ign. Prithee then, declare 



175 

Thy notion of good thoughts, and a pure life 
Squared right with God's commands. 

Chr. Good thoughts respect 

Ourselves, and God, and Christ; and what beside 
May best accord with these. 

Ign. First, of ourselves. 

Chr. When strictly they agree (like face to face 
In some pure glass,) with God's unerring Word, 
Our thoughts are «food.* 

* u That which is born of the flesh is flesh $" " The carnal 
" mind is enmity against God 5 for it is not subject to the law 
a of God , neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the 
u flesh cannot please Godj" for " They are by nature the chil- 



176 
Ign. • When thus do they agree ? 

Chr. That Word declares " There's none by 
" nature pure, 
" None righteous, no, not one." — That " Ev'ry 

" thought, 
" And purpose, and device, of man's base heart, 
" Is evil — constant evil from his youth," - 1 

Ign, I never will believe my heart thus vile. 

1 Gen. vi. 5. Rom. iii. 



* { dren of wrath." This is man's natural condition : but of the 
regenerate it is said," Ye are not iu the flesh, but in the spirit $" 
u for that which is born of the Spirit is spirit)" and to such per- 
soos the texts adduced do not apply. 



177 

Chr. And therefore one good thought of thine 

own self 
Thou never hadst. — Bat further — That pure Word 
Denotes man's ways all " crooked," all " perverse," 
" Far from the way of peace." 1 — Now, when we 

judge 
And mourn our ways thus vile, our thoughts are 

good. 



Ign. When think we right of God? 



Chr. When we revere 

His glorious nature, as his Word reveals : 
When humbly we account us better known 
To Him, than to ourselves : That, to His view, 

1 Psa. cxxv. 5. Prov. ii. 15. 
Z 



178 

Our inmost thoughts ; — our hearts with all their 

depth 
Of secret evil, are exposed and bare : 
That He detects close-lurking sin, where we 
Least think it in ourselves : And, That our best, 
Our holiest duties, arrogantly brought 
As claimants to his throne, he spurns and loathes. 

Ign. Dost think me, then, a fool ? that J should 
deem 
The all-seeing God short-sighted as myself? 
Or with my best performances approach 
His holy throne ?* 



* The external services, performed by unregenerate persons 
from selfish motives, being scanty and partial, and made the 



179 

Chr. Why, what is then thy creed ? 

Tgn. In brief, I must believe on Christ our Lord 
For justifying grace. 

Chr. Believe on Him 

Of whom thou seest no need? — How ! — boast thy- 
self 
So pure, so righteous, yet believe on Him? 



ground of self-complacency, and self-righteous pride, i( are abo- 
a mination in the sight of God," however " highly esteemed 
li among men." " For men look at the outward appearance, 
" but the Lord looketh at the heart." Even the obedience of a 
true believer, though it springs from right principles, and has 
some spiritual excellency in it, is yet so defective and defiled by 
sin j that if it were not accepted as the fruit of the Spirit through 



180 
Ign. I say my faith is firmly fix'd on Him. 

Chr. But how? 

Ign. I hold he died for sinners. Yea, 

That through his boundless merit, he shall make 
My just obedience to his Father's law 
Accepted, and acquit me from the curse. 

Chr. Hear then my honest answer.— This strange 
creed 



the mediation of Christ, it must be condemned by the holy 
law, and rejected with abhorrence by a God of infinite purity. 
Men may allow this in words, and yet not know what it is to 
come as condemned sinners, for a free justification and salvation, 
by faith in Christ. 



181 

Is idle and fantastic : false and vain. — 

It stands not on God's Word : It takes the work 

Of justifying grace from its true source, 

The righteousness of Christ ; and sets thy works 

Presumptuous in its stead. Yea, this fond faith 

Still trusted, shall deceive thy towering hopes, 

And leave thee under wrath. True saving faith 

Boasts in the righteousness of Christ alone : 

That spotless robe, shrouded beneath whose skirt, 

The soul is counted faultless before God, 

And quit from condemnation.* 

* The way of being justified by faith, for which Ignorance 
pleads, may well be called c fantastical? as well as l false f for it 
is no where laid down in Scripture : and it not only changes the 
way of acceptance, but it takes away the rule and standard of 
righteousness, and substitutes a vague notion called sincerity in 
its place, which never was, or can be, denned with precision. 



182 

Ign. What! shall we trust 

The righteousness of Christ wrought in our stead, 
And hold our best obedience vain and void? 
Truly this rare conceit may well content 
The vilest : Licensed thus, he may lay loose 
The reins of ev'ry lust, and fearless live 
As best may like him. 

Chr. Ignorance is thy name, 

And such thy nature. — Ignorant thou art 
Of justifying grace, and how thy soul 
May trust it, and escape the wrath to come. 
Yea, ignorant of the fruits of saving faith 
In Christ's all-perfect righteousness; nor know'st 
It bows and wins the grateful heart to God ; 
And works by love to his most holy name, 



183 

His word, his ways, his people. 

Hopeful to Chr. Ask, if e'er 

The Saviour was reveaFd from heav'n to him. 

^IGN• What! you're a man, forsooth, for wonders, 
signs, 
sions, and revelations ! — Hark ye, then, 
I say these mystic dreams are the wild fruit 
Of a distracted brain. 



: 



Chr, How ! dost thou scoff? 

tell thee, Christ is savingly made known 
y teaching/rom above.* Yea, ev'n that faith 



* Pride, unbelief, and carnal prejudices or affections, so close 



184 

Which makes the Saviour ours, is wrought alone 
By the great pow'r of God. 1 O then, be wise : 
Awake thee to thy wretchedness and guilt: 
Flee to the Friend of Sinners: cleave to Him : 
And, in His righteousness Divine thy soul 
Firm trusting, shall escape the wrath to come. 

Ign. Your hurried pace outbreathes me: — Pass 
you on, 

And leave me to my own. So saying, again 

Droning he dropt behind. — 

i Matt. xi. 27. 1 Cor. xii. 3. Eph. i. 18, 19. 

the mind of a sinner against the spiritual glory of the Person 
and redemption of Christ, that nothing, but the illumination 
of the Spirit removing this veil, can enable him to understand 
and receive the revelation of the sacred Oracles on these im- 
portant subjects. 



©firfettatt and ^Ojpeful arrive at the 
Land q/3$tttlaj)>* and pass through 

the &iber of mmf>> 



Now BeulahV happy clime before them spread 
Serenely bright : — A never-setting sun 
Ranged the blest region : Flow'rs of every bloom 
Glow'd all around : Melodious birds tuned forth 

1 Sol. Sons: ii. 10—12. Isa. lxii. 4—12. 



* The word Beulah signifies married ; and the prophet, 
in the passage whence it is quoted, predicted a very flourishing 
2 A 



186 

Their vernal descant of connubial love, 

And the meek turtle from each tranquil shade 

Pour'd the soft tribute of her soothing strain, 

— Here too, (now bord'ring their eternal home,) 

They view'd the heav'nly City at full gaze, 

Reared on a blissful mount : and oft they met 

Celestial visitants, excursive here 

For hallow'd pastime; or, intently throng'd 

To greet them safe: while with accordant shouts 

Of rapt'rous joy, they haiPd them on their way, 

* The holy people: — Eansom'd of the Lord : — 

" BelovM: Sought out." In this perennial land 



state of religion, which is yet in futurity : but the author ac- 
commodates it to the sweet peace and confidence which tried be- 
lievers commonly experience towards the close of their lives. 



187 

Of pure delights, the Bridegroom and the Bride — 
The Great Messias and his own elect, 
Renew their plighted covenant: Yea, as joys 
The happy bridegroom o'er his faithful spouse, 
Their Lord exulted over them for good. 
— Here, sacred corn and wine, a boundless store, 
With healthful change of pleasures unalloy'd 
Sought through their weary pilgrimage, were dealt 
Spontaneous at their need : And oft, from out 
The Holy City, the Seraphic Choirs 
SwelPd the loud anthem, and proclaim'd abroad, 
" Daughter of Zion ! lo ! thy Lord appears ! 
" Thy full Salvation comes! Behold, He comes; 
" And crowns thy waiting with a blest reward!"* 

* The communion of saints in prayer, praises, and thanks- 



188 

Such was the happy land, awhile ordain'd 
The Pilgrims' rest: And now at nearer ken 
They hail'd the sacred City. — Pile on pile 
Effulgent in full blaze of pearls and gems, 
It rose : The street's wide range was paved with 
gold : l 

1 Rev. xxi. 18. 2 Cor. iii. 18. 



givings, with liberty and ardour, and hearts united in cordial 
love; the beauties of holiness, and the consolations of the Holy 
Spirit ; the healing beams of the Sun of righteousness, shining 
by the sweet light of diviue truth upon the soul; exemption 
from darkening temptations and harassing doubts ; lively earnests 
and near prospects of heavenly felicity; a cheering sense of 
communion with the heavenly host, in their fervent adorations, 
and a realiziug apprehension of their ministering care over the 
heirs of salvation ; a comfortable renewal of the acceptance of 
Christ, sealed with the tokens, pledges, and assurances of his 



189 

While the reflected sun's meridian beam 

Gave double day. Faint with intense desire 

To win the blissful portal, and behold 

Him, sought so long deep-sorrowing, they droop'd 

In languishment of love; and, midst their pangs, 

(As ever and anon th' impassioned pulse 

Of rapturous thought beat high,) aloud they cried, 



love : gratitude, submission, coufidence in God ; hope, and the 
sweet exercise of tenderness, sympathy, meekness, and humility, 
but little interrupted by the working of contrary evils: — these 
things seem to constitute the happy state here represented. — It 
is remarkable that the Psalms (which were intended, among other 
uses, to regulate the devotions and experiences of believers,) 
abound at first with confessions, complaints, fears, and earnest 
cries of distress or danger; but towards the close become more 
and more the language of confidence, gratitude, and joy, and 
conclude with unmingled praises and thanksgivings. 



190 

4 If Him, my Lord, my best Belov'd, ye meet, 
4 1 charge ye, tell him I am sick of love.'* 

Thus tranced, awhile they linger'd on their way ; 
Till, strength divine vouchsafed them, they repaired 
With angel convoy, to a blissful range 
Of orchards, gardens, vineyards, in full prime 



* In the immediate view of heavenly felicity, Paul a desired 
" to depart hence and be with Christ," as " far better" than 
life; and David u fainted for God's salvation." In the lively 
exercise of holy affections, the believer grows weary of this sinful 
world 5 and longs to have his faith changed for sight, his hope 
swallowed up in enjoyment, and his love perfected, and secured 
from all interruption and abatement. Were this frame of mind 
habitual, it might unfit men for the common concerns of life, 
which appear very trifling to the soul when employed in delight- 
ful admiring contemplation of heavenly glory. 



191 

Of lavish luxury, and plann'd with walks 

All bloom, and arbors of delicious shade. 

— These for his own delight, and the kind cheer 

Of Pilgrims waiting their eternal rest, 

The Great King planted. Here intent they paused ; 

And, by the Guardian of that blest retreat 

Welcomed, on the pure dainties freely fared ;* 

Till those celestial viands, and the balm 

Of lightsome breezes, lulFd them to repose. 

Now midst my dream, I marvell'd to perceive 
The Pilgrims, in their happy slumbers, fraught 
With speech more eloquent on themes divine 
Than e'er till that blest hour : and, as I mused 
On the strange cause, the Warder of those bowers 

1 Dent, xxiii. 24. 



192 

Thus solved my wonder. * Wherefore dost thou 

* muse 
6 On these heav'n-gifted Pilgrims thus inspired 
1 Midst their pure slumbers ? 'Tis the sacred boast 
* Of this fair vintage, to distil so sweet 
1 Its vital essence, that amid the lapse 
1 Of sleep, it wakes the lips to speech divine.'* 

Now, from their hallow'd trance alert they rose, 



* Attendance on the public ordinances is always the believer's 
duty and privilege 5 yet he cannot at all times delight in them : 
but, when holy affections are in lively exercise, he sweetly rests 
in these earnests of heavenly joy 5 and speaks freely and fervently 
of the love of Christ and the blessings of salvation, to the edi- 
fication of those around him 5 who often wonder at witnessing 
such a change, from reserve and diffidence to boldness and 
earnestness, in urging others to mind the one thing needful. 



193 

And ZioN-ward address'd them ; firmly bent 

For their blest home. But, as intense they gazed 

At nearer view on the resplendent walls, 

A shadowy glass they plied, that veii'd and sooth'd 

(With open face too glorious to behold,) 

The wide-effulgent blaze. 

As thus they fared, 

Two heralds vestured as in burning g:old, 

With faces beaming of celestial day, 

Saluted them; and, with seraphic smile, 

Besought in kind accordance, Where had lodged 

Their weary feet? — What perils, conflicts, foes, — 

What scenes of sacred solace and delight, 

Had chanced and cheer'd them in their past career? 

— These brief recounted, the celestial Pair 
2 B 



191 

Thus timely wam'd them. — * Well have ye approved 
6 Your love, your zeal, your patience. — Hold yet 

6 firm : — 
4 Two short, two final difficulties braved 
1 With faith unwav'ring, — then, (O blest reward !) 
* In holy triumph, to go out no more, 
6 Ye win the sacred City!'* 

Thus forewarn 'd, 
With trembling diffidence the Pilgrims craved 
Their tendance ; and with pensive step fared on, 
Till the bright towers right opposite arose, 
And in full view the dazzling portal beam'd. 



* The only remaining difficulties that awaited the Pilgrims^ 
were Death, and admission into the City. 



195 

Descending now, they reach that sable shore 
The bourne of mortal pilgrimage. — A stream 
Of fearful depth, by no safe bridge relieved, 
Roll'd its dark waters in a sullen tide, 
Turbid, and cold. — The Pilgrims gazed appall'd ; 
And, pausing, of their heav'nly Guides enquired 
Some safer pass. 

i One only,' (they replied,) 

* Eludes this river: but no child of earth 
4 Save Enoch and Elijah, ever trod 

* That favoured path, nor e'er again shall tread, 

6 ('Tis heavVs high mandate,) till the trump of 
4 doom.' 

The Pilgrims thus admonish'd, sudden sunk 



195 

To deep despondence; and around them cast 

A melancholy gaze of drear dismay : — 

But Christian, chief: — ' And is it thus?' — (he cried) 

6 Across this fatal barrier must we pass 

' To yon fair City? — May no friendly ford 

* Bear our frail footing through the whelming tide 

* Safe from the lowest deep V 

6 Some surer ground' 
(Replied the angelic Pair,) < the foot may trace 

* 'Mid these wild waters ; — but no aid is ours : — 
c To point that safer pass, or steer your course 

4 'Thwart the dread gulph, we may not. — Tis by 

< faith 
6 In Zion's King ye must abide this flood ; 
' So shall ye prove the peril scant or deep, 



197 



1 As faith is firm or wav'ring.' 



Thus prepared, 
Shuddering they scann'd, then, plunged the deadly 

tide : — 
They plunged : and Christian suddenly borne down 
By one tremendous surge, began to sink. — 
t — Woe, woe is me !' (he cried, and, gasping, 

clung 
To his tried friend,) ' I sink in the deep mire ! 
1 All, all his waves, — the billows of his wrath, 
6 Roll o'er my head for ever V 

( Cheer! — good cheer! 
1 Bear up with me V said Hopeful : — < On firm 
' ground, 



198 

4 On solid rock, /rest. — Take courage, then, 
4 My brother: — Be not faithless, but believe. 5 

* Alas V sigh'd Christian ; < the fierce pangs of 
4 death, 
4 The bitter pains of hell, seize on my soul : — 
4 O never shall I see the happy land 
4 That flows with milk and honey !' 

Wailing thus, 
A swoon of deadly horror — a deep cloud 
Of mortal darkness, on his eyelids fell, 
And, from his wilder'd reason blotted blank 
All sweet remembrance of those blissful days 
That cheer'd his toilsome pilgrimage : While sins, 
Oblivious deem'd, all roused in dread array 



199 

From youth's frail dawn to that distressful hour, 
Menaced the gulph of merciless despair!* 
— Nor less the pow'rs of hell — fierce-banded fiends, 
And fiery phantoms, haunted him ; and wreak'd, 
Desp'rate, their last worst rage. 



* Death is aptly represented by a deep River without a Bridge^ 
Separating the believer from his heavenly inheritance, as Jordan 
flowed between Israel and the promised land. From this River 
nature shrinks back, even when faith, hope, and love are in lively 
exercise; but, when these decline, alarm and consternation may 
unite with reluctance at the thoughts of crossing it. The dreaded 
pangs that precede the awful separation of those intimate asso- 
ciates, the soul and body ; the painful parting with dear friends 
and every earthly object ; the gloomy ideas of the dark, cold, and 
noisome grave; and the solemn thought of launching into an 
unseen eternity, render Death the king of terrors. — But faith 
in a crucified, buried, risen, and ascended Saviour ; experience 
of his faithfulness and love in times past ; hope of an immediate. 



200 

Thus hard beset, 
Scarce could his anxious friend bear his droop'd 

head 
Above the whelming" flood. Yea, oft he sunk 
'Neath the wild surge, then, ghastly, rose half dead! 



entrance into his presence, where temptation, conflict, sin, and 
suffering, will find no admission; and the desire of perfect know- 
ledge, holiness, and felicity, will reconcile the mind to the ine- 
vitable stroke, and sometimes give a complete victory over every 
fear. Yet if faith and hope be weakened, through the recollection 
of any peculiar misconduct, the withholding of divine light and 
consolation, or some violent assault of the tempter ; even the be- 
liever will be peculiarly liable to alarm and distress. His re- 
flecting mind, having long been accustomed to consider the sub- 
ject in its important nature and consequences, has very different 
apprehensions of God, of eternity, of judgment, of sin, and of 
himself, than other men have. Sometimes experienced saints 
we more desponding in these circumstances than their junior 



201 

Amid these bitter woes, Hopeful, still safe, 
Assay'd to solace him. — ' Brother,' he cried, 

brethren: constitution has considerable effect upon the mind: 
and some men (like Christian,) are in every stage of their pro- 
fession, more exposed to temptations of a discouraging nature, 
than to ambition, avarice, or fleshly lusts. — A conscientious life 
indeed is commonly favoured with a peaceful close, even when 
forebodings to the contrary have troubled men during their whole 
lives : and this is so far general, that they best provide for a 
comfortable death, who most diligently attend to the duties* of 
their station and the improvement of their talents, from evan- 
gelical principles ; whereas they who live negligently, and yield 
to temptation, make, as it were, an assignation with terror to 
meet them on their death-bed, a season when comfort is more 
desirable than at any other. The Lord, however, is no man's 
debtor : none can claim consolation as their due : and, though a 
believer's experience and the testimony of his conscience may 
evidence the sincerity of his faith and love ; yet he must disclaim 
to the last every other dependence than the righteousness and 
blood of Christ, and the free mercy of God in him. 

2 c 



202 

' Take courage. — I behold the dazzling Gate 
' Wide open for our welcome ; and the hosts 
< Of yon bright City throng'd with outspread arms, 
« To hail our triumph.' — 

Chr. Ah! my friend! for you — 

For you alone they wait. Your stedfast hope 
Hath baffled ev'ry storm: and note it holds 
Fast anchor in the skies. 

Hope. And such is thine; 

Tho' fainting flesh dismay thee. 

Chr. Nay, my brother, 

If all were well within, my Lord would rise 
To my swift aid. But oh ! for my curst sins 



203 
He shuns, and leaves me in the snares of hell. 

Hope. O yield not thus, my friend, to hell's 

deep fraud : — 
Remember — of heav'n's outcast foes 'tis writ, 
" They have no bands in death : Their strength is 

" firm : 
" Nor are they proved or plagued like other men :" 
— Thy darkness and distress speak not thy soul 
From God cast off; or, that he frowns thy foe. 
But thus he proves thee, that thy faith may plead 
His mercies past, and trust him to the end. 

At these all-cheering words, Christian revived: — 
A settling peace o'ercalnrd him: In deep thought 
He mused awhile; then, into sudden strains, 



204 

With outstretch'd arms, and fix'd seraphic gaze, 

Brake forth, all extacy :— < 'Tis He !— 'tis He ! 

* My gracious Lord ! — I see him once again !— 

' He smiles : — he speaks : — " Tho' through the 

" floods thou pass, 

"They shall not overwhelm thee: — Yea, though 
plunged 

" In the dread deep, lo! I am with thee there/' 1 

— Thus nerved anew, they breasted the grim wave 

Fearless and firm: for now, on solid ground 

O'er the safe shallow, Christian held his way; 

While ev'ry raging foe, without, within, 

Still as a stone, assail'd his peace no more. 

All, all was cloudless rapture; till, the last 

Dull clod of perishable clay cast off, 

i Isa. xliii, 2. 






205 

They sprang, immortal, to the realms of bliss,* 

— So two bright stars, sunk to the wat'ry west 
'Midst clouds and storms,at their dim settingplunge 
The raging flood all cheerless ; till, anon, 
To fairer climes they mount, and beam abroad, 
And add new glories to a brighter sphere. 

* The temporary distresses of dying believers often arise from 
bodily disease, which interrupts the free exercise of their intel- 
lectual powers. Of this Satan will be sure to take advantage, 
as far as he is permitted 5 and will suggest gloomy imaginations, 
not only to distress them, but to dishearten others by their ex- 
ample. — What may in this state be painted before the fancy we 
cannot tell : but it is generally observed, that such painful con- 
flicts terminate in renewed hope and comfort, frequently by 
means of the conversation and prayers of christians and ministers; 
so that they, who for a time have been most distressed, have at 
length died triumphantly. 



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Jones, Gilbert, Esq. Cheltenham. 

Kelly, Mr. J. D. Cheltenham. 
Klyne, W. H. Esq. Camden Town. 

Laming*, Mr. Pearson, High Street, Mary-lfe* 

bone. 
Langdon, Mr. J. Bath, 3 copies. 
Lea, R. Esq. Beckenham, Kent* 
Lightburne, Mrs. Cheltenham. 
Lovelock, Miss, Ditto. 



212 

Meacher, Mr, J. Serjeant's Inn, Chancery Lane. 
M'Geachy, Mrs. Hillfield House, Clifton. 
Morris, William, Esq. Sevenhampton. 
Murley, S. H. Esq. Cheltenham. 
Murley, Mrs. S. Ditto. 

Newbury, Mrs. Cheltenham. 

Oldham, J. Oldham, Esq. Montague Place, Bed- 
ford Square. 
Oldham, Mrs. Ditto. 
Oldham, A. Esq. Blackfriar's Road. 
Oxford Teacher's Reading Society. 

Paul Mr. R. Cheltenham. 



213 

Phillips, Captain, Cheltenham. 

Porteus, Mrs. Ditto. 

Protheroe, Miss, Bristol, 2 copies. 

Reece, William, Esq. Cheltenham. 
Reed, Rev. A. Cannon Street. 
Richardson, Rev. W. Framptonon Severn. 
Riddel], Alexander, Esq. Queen Street, Cheapside, 

3 copies. 
Risdon, Benjamin, Esq. Pershore. 

Shepherd, John, Esq. Admiralty. 

Smith, Thomas, Esq. Frampton on Severn. 

Smith, Miss, R. Camberwell. 



214 

Storks, Robert L. Esq. Lawrence Lane, Cheap- 
side, 6 copies 
Tatlow, A. Esq. Cheltenham, 
Taylor, Mrs. Camberwell. 
Taylor, Miss Eliza, Cheltenham. 
Thomas, Rev. J. Oxford. 
Thompson, Mrs. H. Cheltenham. 
Trail, Rev. Robert, Withington. 

Wathen, O. P. Esq. Woodchester. 

Watson, Mrs. Liverpool. 

Watts, Mr. 0. Cheltenham. 

Wells, Mrs. Ditto. 

Wells, J. Esq. Camden Town, 6 copies* 

Wells, Mrs. B. London. 



. 



215 



ells, Miss, Peterborough. 
Weston, Mrs. Ditto, 4 copies. 
Williams, Rev. H. H. Cheltenham. 
Wintle, Mrs. Somerton, Oxfordshire. 
Winter, Rev. Dr. Sidmouth Street, Mecklenburg 

Square. 
Wood, William, Esq. Cheltenham. 
Wray, Miss, Worcester. 






Turner and Hadley, Printers. 



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